The Cyber Hymnal ‎#2359

2359. Heavenly Father, Send Thy Blessing

1. Heav’nly Father, send Thy blessing
On Thy children gathered here,
May they all, Thy name confessing,
Be to Thee forever dear;
May they be, like Joseph, loving,
Dutiful, and chaste, and pure;
And their faith, like David, proving,
Steadfast unto death endure.

2. Holy Savior, who in meekness
Didst vouchsafe a child to be,
Guide their steps, and help their weakness,
Bless and make them like to Thee;
Bear Thy lambs, when they are weary,
In Thine arms and at Thy breast;
Through life’s desert, dry and dreary,
Bring them to Thy heav’nly rest.

3. Spread Thy golden pinions o’er them,
Holy Spirit, from above,
Guide them, lead them, go before them,
Give them peace, and joy, and love;
Thy true temples, Holy Spirit,
May they with Thy glory shine,
And immortal bliss inherit,
And forevermore be Thine.

Text Information

• First Line: Heav'nly Father, send Thy blessing
• Title: Heavenly Father, Send Thy Blessing
• Author: Christopher Wordsworth (1863)
• Meter: 87.87 D
• Language: English
• Source: The Holy Year, third edition, 1863
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tune: LUGANO, Catholic Hymn Tunes, 1849

Tune Information

• Name: IONA
• Composer: John Stainer (1868)
• Meter: 87.87 D
• Incipit: 13543 24321 32171
• Key: F Major
• Source: Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1868
• Copyright: Public Domain