Scripture Verse

The words of truth. Proverbs 22:21

Introduction

portrait
Marcia Goodwin (1831–1885)

Words: Mar­cia M. B. Good­win, in Crown of Gold, ed­it­ed by Will­iam T. Giffe & Frank M. Da­vis (Lo­gans­port, In­di­ana: Home Mu­sic, 1892), num­ber 87.

Music: Vag­har­sha­pat Ora M. Li­ven­good, 1892 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Li­ven­good (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), or a bet­ter one of Good­win,

Lyrics

Speak lov­ing words to wait­ing souls,
Speak words of hope and cheer;
Lift up the spir­it bowed with care,
Wipe away the mourn­er’s tear.

Refrain

Speak lov­ing words, speak kind­ly words,
Speak words of hope and cheer,
Lift up the spir­it bowed with care,
Wipe away the mourn­er’s tear.

Speak lov­ing words though sin­ners fail
The path of life to find;
Point to the way that up­ward leads,
Speak words both true and kind.

Refrain

Speak lov­ing words, for soon thou’lt be
Pale, si­lent and un­known;
And lov­ing words alone will tell
The good that thou hast done.

Refrain