Early, early O! my God!
I send my prayer to thee,
Ere my heart has roved abroad
’Mid scenes of vanity.
Shielded by thy tender love,
I have calmly, safely slept,
Guards, commission’d from above,
Round me their station kept.
Through the darkness—through the night
Refreshing rest was mine;
Fire, nor sword, nor sickly blight,
Against me did combine;
But revolving hours have brought,
Opening fair, another day;
May I spend it as I ought,
And love, and watch, and pray!
When the solemn hour has come
For me to sleep in death,
Jesus, bear my spirit home,
When fails my mortal breath!
Clasp me in thy faithful arms—
Fold me to thy tender breast—
Till, enraptured with thy charms,
I gently sink to rest.
CHARLESTON, February 14, 1841.