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![]() | Hast thou, midst life's empty noisesAuthor: John Greenleaf WhittierPublished in 25 hymnals |
Hast thou, ’midst life’s empty noises,
Heard the solemn steps of Time,
And the low, mysterious voices
Of another clime?
Early hath life’s mighty question
Thrilled within thy heart of youth,
With a deep and strong beseeching,—
What, and where, is truth?
Not to ease and aimless quiet
Doth the inward answer tend;
But to works of love and duty,
As our being’s end.
Earnest toil and strong endeavor
Of a spirit which within
Wrestles with familiar evil
And besetting sin;
And without, with tireless vigor,
Steady heart, and purpose strong,
In the power of Truth assaileth
Every form of wrong.
Source: A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.) #301
Whittier, John Greenleaf, the American Quaker poet, was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, Dec. 17, 1807. He began life as a farm-boy and shoemaker, and subsequently became a successful journalist, editor and poet. In 1828 he became editor of the American Manufacturer (Boston), in 1830 of the New England Review, and an 1836 (on becoming Secretary to the American Anti-Slavery Society) of the Pennsylvania Freeman. He was also for some time, beginning with 1847, the corresponding editor of the National Era. In 1840 he removed to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where most of his later works have been written. At the present time [1890] he lives alternately at Amesbury and Boston. His first poetical piece was printed in the Newburyport Free Press in 182… Go to person page >| First Line: | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises |
| Author: | John Greenleaf Whittier |
| Instances (25) | First Line | Text Title | Refrain First Line | Authors | Composers | Meter | Scripture | Tune Title | Tune Key | Incipit | Languages | Publication Date | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion. (10th ed.) #301 | Hast thou, 'midst life's empty noises | Whittier | 1848 | ||||||||||||||
| A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.) #301 | Hast thou, 'midst life's empty noises | The Purpose of Life. | Whittier | 10.10.10.10.10.10 | 1866 | ||||||||||||
| Christian Hymn and Tune Book, for use in Churches, and for Social and Family Devotions #559 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | 1870 | |||||||||||||||
| Grammar School Hymn Book #d97 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | John G. Whittier; John Greenleaf Whittier | 1871 | ||||||||||||||
| Hymn and Tune Book, for the Church and the Home #743 | Hast thou, 'midst life's empty noises | Whittier | 1868 | ||||||||||||||
| Hymn and Tune Book for the Church and the Home and Services for Congregational Worship. Rev. ed. #d242 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | John G. Whittier; John Greenleaf Whittier | 1878 | ||||||||||||||
| Hymn and Tune Book for the Church and the Home. (Rev. ed.) #777 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | John G. Whittier | 1883 | ||||||||||||||
| Hymns for the Church of Christ (3rd thousand) #729 | Hast thou, 'midst life's empty noises | 1853 | |||||||||||||||
| Hymns for the Church of Christ. (6th thousand) #729 | Hast thou, 'midst life's empty noises | 1857 | |||||||||||||||
| Hymns in Harmony with Modern Thought #24 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | John G. Whittier | 1901 | ||||||||||||||
| Hymns of the Spirit #562 | Hast thou, 'midst life's empty noises | 1864 | |||||||||||||||
| Jubilate Deo, a Book of Hymns and Tunes for Young and Old #d96 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | John G. Whittier; John Greenleaf Whittier | 1900 | ||||||||||||||
| Lyra Sacra Americana: or, Gems from American Sacred Poetry #d61 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | John G. Whittier; John Greenleaf Whittier | 1868 | ||||||||||||||
| Plymouth Collection of Hymns and Tunes; for the use of Christian Congregations #1066 | Hast thou, 'midst life's empty noises | Whittier | 1855 | ||||||||||||||
| Prayers and Hymns for the Church and Home #d240 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | Earnest life | John G. Whittier; John Greenleaf Whittier | 1866 | |||||||||||||
| Songs of the Unity: a Selection of Lyrics for Public Worhip, with Tunes for Congregational Use #d86 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | John G. Whittier; John Greenleaf Whittier | 1859 | ||||||||||||||
| The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book: being "The Plymouth Collection" enlarged and adapted to the use of Baptist churches #1066 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | Whittier | 1857 | ||||||||||||||
| The Hymnal of Praise #218 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | John G. Whittier; John Greenleaf Whittier | 1913 | ||||||||||||||
| The Middlesex Hymn Book #d41 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | John G. Whittier; John Greenleaf Whittier | 1904 | ||||||||||||||
| The School Hymn-Book: for normal, high, and grammar schools #231 | Hast thou, 'midst life's empty noises | Whittier | 1850 | ||||||||||||||
| The Tabernacle #d110 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | John G. Whittier; John Greenleaf Whittier | 1862 | ||||||||||||||
| The Truth Seeker Collection of Forms, Hymns and Recitations, Original and Selected, for the Use of Liberals #d111 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | Earnest toil | John G. Whittier; John Greenleaf Whittier | 1877 | |||||||||||||
| The Voice of melody: a choice collection of hymn tunes for choirs, prayer-meetings, congregations, and family use #128 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | John G. Whittier; John Greenleaf Whittier | 1860 | ||||||||||||||
| Unity Hymns and Chorals. Rev and enl. with Service Elements #d85 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | John G. Whittier; John Greenleaf Whittier | 1913 | ||||||||||||||
| Universal Hymns Compiled for the North End Union #d42 | Hast thou, midst life's empty noises | John G. Whittier; John Greenleaf Whittier | 1894 |
