Scripture Verse

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children. Ephesians 5:1

Introduction

portrait
Christopher Wordsworth
(1807–1885)

Words: Chris­to­pher Words­worth, The Ho­ly Year (Lon­don: Riv­ing­tons, 1863), num­ber 123.

Music: Io­na John Stain­er, in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1868 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

  • Lugano Ca­tho­lic Hymn Tunes, 1849 (🔊 pdf nwc)
portrait
John Stainer (1840–1901)

Lyrics

Heav’nly Fa­ther, send Thy bless­ing
On Thy child­ren ga­thered here;
May they all, Thy name con­fess­ing,
Be to Thee for ev­er dear;
May they be, like Jo­seph, lov­ing,
Dutiful, and chaste, and pure;
And their faith, like Da­vid, prov­ing,
Steadfast un­to death en­dure.

Holy Sav­ior, who in meek­ness
Didst vouch­safe a child to be,
Guide their steps, and help their weak­ness,
Bless, and make them like to Thee;
Bear Thy lambs when they are wea­ry,
In Thine arms, and at Thy breast;
Through life’s de­sert, dry and drea­ry,
Bring them to Thy heav’n­ly rest.

Spread Thy gold­en pin­ions o’er them,
Holy Spir­it, heav’n­ly Dove,
Guide them, lead them, go be­fore them,
Give them peace, and joy, and love;
Temples of the Ho­ly Spir­it,
May they with Thy glo­ry shine,
And im­mor­tal bliss in­her­it,
And for ev­er­more be Thine!