1042
Thou Gracious God, Whose Mercy Lends
1. Thou gracious God, whose mercy lends
The light of home, the smile of friends,
Our gathered flock Thine arms enfold,
As Thou didst keep Thy Saints of old.
2. O Father, hear us while we raise
In sweet accord of solemn praise
The voices that have mingled long
In joyous flow of mirth and song.
3. For all the blessings life has brought,
For all its sorrowing hours have taught,
For all we mourn, for all we keep,
The hands we clasp, the loved that sleep,
4. The noontide sunshine of the past,
These brief, bright moments fading fast,
The stars that gild our dark’ning years,
The twilight ray from holier spheres—
5. We thank Thee, Father! Let Thy grace
Our loving circle still embrace,
Thy mercy shed its heav’nly store,
Thy peace be with us evermore.
Text: Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., 1869; alt.
Music: English folk tune; Folk Songs from Somerset, 1906; harm. 2025 | O WALY WALY
Music harm. © 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial Church or home use.