1 I love to sing when I am glad,
Song is the echo of my gladness;
I love to sing when I am sad,
Till song makes sweet my very sadness;
'Tis pleasant time, when voices shine,
To some sweet rhyme, in concert only;
And song to me is company,
Good company when I am lonely.

2 Whene'er I greet the morning light,
My song goes forth in thankful numbers,
And 'mid the shadows of the night,
I sing me to my welcome slumbers,
My heart is stirred by each glad bird,
Whose notes are heard in summer bowers;
And song gives birth to friendly mirth,
Around the hearth in wintry hours.

3 Man first learned song in Paradise
From the bright angels o'er him singing;
And in our home above the skies,
Glad anthems are forever ringing.
God lends his ear, well pleased to hear
The songs that cheer his children's sorrow;
Till day shall break, and we shall wake
Where love will make unfading morrow.