Sing aloud, O happy voices!
Fill the air with joyful praise,
While each grateful heart rejoices
In the gift that crowns our days.
Sing for joy, but let your singing
To the heights of prayer upreach;
To thy throne, O God, are winging
Thoughts too vast for human speech.
Yet for him whom thou hast sent us
Now with yearning hearts we pray;
Keep thou him whom thou hast lent us,
Father, near to thee alway.
When his heart grows faint and weary,
Strengthen him with heavenly wine;
If his path grows dark or dreary,
Lighten it with light divine.
When the spirit, Lord, is willing,
Though the shrinking heart is weak,
Let thy voice, all tempests stilling,
Blessèd words of comfort speak.
When he kneels beside our dying,
When he lays our dead away,
In our anguish and our crying,
Teach thou him what words to say.
When before thy holy altar
He shall pour the sacred wine,
Let his strong hand never falter,
Holding fast to hand of thine.
Now on pastor and on people,
Lord, thy fullest blessing pour,
While the bell from out the steeple
Rings in peace forevermore.