The Seventh-Day Adventist Hymn and Tune Book ‎#506

506. How tedious and tasteless the hours

1 How tedious and tasteless the hours
When 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.

Text Information

• First Line: How tedious and tasteless the hours
• Author: John Newton
• Publication Date: 1886
• Topic: The Christian: Hymns for Social Worship

Tune Information

• Name: CONTRAST
• Composer: Lewis Edson
• Meter: 8s, D
• Key: G Major or modal