← How tedious and tasteless the hours Hymns and Tunes (1888) · No. 506

How tedious and tasteless the hours

1

How tedious and tasteless the hoursWhen Jesus no longer I see!Sweet prospects, sweet birds, and sweet flowers,Have all lost their sweetness to me;The midsummer sun shines but dim,The fields strive in vain to look gay;But when I am happy in him,December 's as pleasant as May.

2

His name yields the richest perfume,And sweeter than music his voice;His presence disperses my gloom,And makes all within me rejoice:I should, were he always thus nigh,Have nothing to wish or to fear;No mortal so happy as I,My summer would last all the year.

3

My Lord, if indeed I am thine,If thou art my Sun and my Song,Say, why do I languish and pine?And why are my winters so long?O drive these dark clouds from my sky,Thy soul-cheering presence restore;Or take me to thee up on high,Where winter and clouds are no more.