Farewell I Gladly Bid Thee

Farewell I gladly bid Thee,
False, evil world, farewell!
Thy life is dark and sinful,
With thee I would not dwell:
In heav'n are joys untroubled,
I long for that bright sphere
Where God rewards them doubled,
Who serv'd Him truly here.

Do with me as it pleases
Thy heart, O Son of God;
When anguish on me seizes,
Help me to bear my load;
Nor then my sorrows lengthen,
But take me hence on high;
My fearful heart, oh strengthen,
And let me calmly die.

When all around is darkling,
Thy name and cross, still bright,
Deep in my heart are sparkling,
Like stars in blackest night;
Appear Thou in Thy sorrow,
For Thine was woe indeed,
And from Thy cross I borrow
All comfort heart can need.

Thou diedst for me,--oh hide me
When tempests round me roll;
Through all my foes, oh guide me,
Receive my trembling soul:
If I but grasp Thee firmer,
What matters pain when past?
Hath he a cause to murmur
Who reaches heaven at last?

Oh write my name, I pray Thee,
Now in the book of life;
So let me here obey Thee,
And there, where joys are rife,
For ever bloom before Thee,
Thy perfect freedom prove,
And tell, as I adore Thee,
How faithful was Thy love.

The Chorale Book for England, 1863