From the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife.
Mark 10:6–7
Words: Magnus B. Landstad, 1861 (I Hus og Hjem, hvor Mand og Viv). Translated from Norwegian to English by Ole T. Arneson, 1908, alt.
Music: Kommt her zu mir German tune, circa 1400 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Arneson (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
O blessèd home where man and wife
Together lead a godly life
By deeds their faith confessing!
There many a happy day is spent,
There Jesus gladly will consent
To tarry with His blessing.
If they have given Him their heart,
The place of honor set apart
For Him each night and morrow,
Then He the storms of life will calm,
Will bring for every wound a balm,
And change to joy their sorrow.
And if their home be dark and drear,
The cruse be empty, hunger near,
All hope within them dying,
Let them despair not in distress;
Lo, Christ is there the bread to bless,
The fragments multiplying.
O Lord, we come before Thy face;
In every home bestow Thy grace
On children, father, mother,
Relieve their wants, their burdens ease,
Let them together dwell in peace
And love to one another.