Scripture Verse

He sent forth the dove out of the ark, and the dove came in to him in the evening. Genesis 8:10–11

Introduction

Words: Fan­ny Cros­by, in Songs of Joy and Glad­ness, by Will­iam Mc­Don­ald et al. (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: Mc­Don­ald, Gill, 1886), num­ber 45.

Music: Will­iam J. Kirk­pat­rick (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
William J. Kirkpatrick
(1838–1921)

Lyrics

illustration
Return of the Dove, from Bible Heroes,
by Mary A. Lathbury, 1898

Like a bird on the deep,
Far away from its nest,
I had wan­dered, my Sav­ior, from Thee,
But Thy dear lov­ing voice
Called me home to Thy breast,
And I knew there was wel­come for me.

Refrain

Welcome for me,
Savior, from Thee;
A smile and a wel­come for me;
Now, like a dove, I rest in Thy love,
And find a sweet re­fuge in Thee.

I am safe in the ark;
I have fold­ed my wings
On the bo­som of mer­cy divine;
I am filled with the light,
Of Thy pre­sence so bright,
And the joy that will ev­er be mine.

Refrain

I am safe in the ark,
And I dread not the storm,
Though around me the surg­es may roll;
I will look to the skies,
Where the day ne­ver dies,
I will sing of the joy in my soul.

Refrain