When the hopes that smile to­day
With the mor­row pass away;
When the flow­ers that plea­sure weaves
Fade and fall like au­tumn leaves:

Refrain

Thou my shield and strength di­vine,
Closer draw my love to Thine;
Rock of Ag­es, cleft for me,
Let me hide my­self in Thee.

When my heart with toils op­pressed
Vainly seeks the balm of rest;
When be­set with tri­als deep,
Throbbing cares that will not sleep:

Refrain

When af­flict­ions o’er my soul
Like the waves of ocean roll:
When the clouds above me frown
And my bur­den weighs me down:

Refrain

When the storms of life shall cease,
When the waves are hushed in peace;
When I reach my home at last,
Every dan­ger safe­ly passed:

Refrain