I asked the New Year for some motto sweet,
Some rule of life with which to guide my feet;
I asked and paused; He answered soft and low,
God’s will, God’s will to know,
God’s will to know.

Will knowledge then suffice, New Year? I cried;
And ere the question into silence died,
The answer came, Nay, but remember, too,
God’s will, God’s will to do,
God’s will to do.

Once more I asked, Is there no more to tell?
And once again the answer sweetly fell:
Yes, this one thing, all other things above,
God’s will, God’s will to love,
God’s will to love.