Scripture Verse

The Lord your God is gracious and merciful. 2 Chronicles 30:9

Introduction

Words: Ol­iv­er W. Holmes, Sr., 1869. The words were writ­ten for the re­un­ion of Har­vard Uni­ver­si­ty’s class of 1829.

Music: Hol­ley George Hews, 1835 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Hews (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Oliver W. Holmes, Sr. (1809–1894)

Lyrics

Thou gracious Power, whose mercy lends
The light of home, the smile of friends,
Our families in Thine arms enfold
As in the peaceful days of old.

Wilt Thou not hear us while we raise,
In sweet accord of solemn praise,
The voices that have mingled long
In joyous flow of mirth and song?

For all the blessings life has brought,
For all its sorrowing hours have taught,
For all we mourn, for all we keep,
The hands we clasp, the loved that sleep.

The noontide sunshine of the past,
These brief, bright moments fading fast,
The stars that gild our darkening years,
The twilight ray from holier spheres.

We thank Thee, Fa­ther; let Thy grace
Our narrowing circle still embrace,
Thy mercy shed its heavenly store,
Thy peace be with us ev­er­more.