Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts

Words: Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th Century (Jesu dulcis memoria). Translated from Latin to English by Ray Palmer, 1858. Published in The Poetical Works of Ray Palmer (London: R. D. Dickinson, 1876), pages 104–05.

Music: Hesperus Henry Baker, 1854. First published in A Hymnal for Use in the English Church, by John Grey, 1866 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

Ealing Herbert S. Oakley, 1874 (🔊 pdf nwc)
Mendon German tune, arranged by Samuel Dyer, 1828 (🔊 pdf nwc)
Queen’s Cross Kenneth G. Finlay, in The Primitive Methodist Hymnal Supplement with Tunes, edited by George Booth (London: Primitive Methodist Publishing House, 1912), number 57 (🔊 pdf nwc)
Silver Hill Alan Jackson (1872–1929) (🔊 pdf nwc)

Jesus, Thou Joy of loving hearts,
Thou Fount of life, Thou Light of men,
From the best bliss that earth imparts,
We turn unfilled to Thee again.

Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood;
Thou savest those that on Thee call;
To them that seek Thee Thou art good,
To them that find Thee all in all.

We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread,
And long to feast upon Thee still;
We drink of Thee, the Fountainhead,
And thirst our souls from Thee to fill.

Our restless spirits yearn for Thee,
Wherever our changeful lot is cast;
Glad when Thy gracious smile we see,
Blessed when our faith can hold Thee fast.

O Jesus, ever with us stay,
Make all our moments calm and bright;
Chase the dark night of sin away,
Shed over the world Thy holy light.

Scripture Verse

Introduction

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