The Cyber Hymnal ‎#13727

13727. Bird So Blithe

1 O bird so blithe, O bird so blithe,
How firm thy trust abideth!
Thou sowest not, thou reapest not,
And hoarded grain thou heapest not;
Yet bird so blithe, O bird so blithe,
God for thy wants provideth.

2 O lily fair, O lily fair,
How sweet thy beauty’s story!
Thou toilest not, thou spinnest not,
And earthly honors winnest not;
Yet lily fair, O lily fair,
Thou art arrayed in glory.

3 O childhood bright, O childhood bright,
How sweet the joy thou bringest,
When, trustful as the bird in air,
And simple as the lily fair,
O childhood bright, O childhood bright,
Thy happy song thou singest!

4 O bird in air, O bird in air,
Think not of coming sorrow,
The Father dear who loveth all,
Doth bear thy wing, doth watch thy fall;
So bird in air, O bird in air,
Still leave to Him the morrow.

5 O lily frail, O lily frail,
How soon thy glory waneth!
Up-springing with the morning glow,
At evening’s breath thou liest low;
Yet lily frail, O lily frail,
Thy fragrance still remaineth.

6 O childhood brief, O childhood brief,
Tho’ swift thy days pass by us,
May thy firm trust, thy simple grace,
Be aye our strength in manhood’s race;
Then, childhood brief, O childhood brief,
Thy joy shall still be nigh us.

Text Information

• First Line: O bird so blithe, O bird so blithe
• Title: Bird So Blithe
• Author: A. Higginson
• Meter: 87.88.87
• Language: English
• Source: The Service of Praise by J. Lincoln Hall et al. (Philadelphia: Hall-Mack Company, 1900)
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: GELDINGADALUR
• Composer: Arthur Berridge (1900)
• Meter: 87.88.87
• Key: A♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain