Hymnal: The Christian Hymn Book
Date: 1865
Compiler: Alexander Campbell
Publisher/Printer: Central Book Concern
First Line: When spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil
Topic: Times and Seasons/Seed-Time and Harvest
Writer: <no first name given> Heber
Composer:
Meter: 14s
Tune:
Hymn Number: 1238
Page Number: 741, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsWhen spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil,
When summer's balmy showers refresh the mower's toil;
When winter binds in frosty chains the fallow and the flood,
In God the earth rejoiceth still, and owns his Maker good.
The birds that wake the morning, and those that love the shades;
The winds that sweep the mountain, or dull 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.