Hymnal: The Christian Hymnal
Date: 1871
Compiler: Under direction of the Christian Hymn-Book Committee
Publisher/Printer: Bosworth Chase & Hall
First Line: When spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil
Topic: Times and Seasons
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer: A Squire
Meter: 13s and 14s
Tune: Thanksgiving
Hymn Number: 820
Page Number: 313, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsWhen spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil,
When summer's balmy show-ers re-fresh the mower's toil;
When win-ter binds in frost-y chains the fallow and the flood,
In God the earth re-joic-eth still, and owns its Maker good.
The birds that wake the morning, and those that love the shade;
The winds that sweep the mountain, or lull the drowsy glade;
The sun that from his amber bower rejoiceth on his way,
The moon and stars their Maker's name in silent pomp display.
Shall man, the lord of nature, expectant of the sky-
Shall man, alone unthankful, his little praise deny!
No; let the year forsake his course, the seasons cease to be,
Thee, Father, must we always love-Creator! honor thee.
The flowers of spring may wither, the hope of summer fade,
The autumn droop in winter, the bird forsake the shade;
The winds be lulled-the sun and moon forget their old decree;
But we, in nature's latest hour, O Lord, will cling to thee!