The Cyber Hymnal ‎#4232

4232. My God and Father! While I Stray

1. My God and Father! while I stray
Far from my home in life’s rough way,
Oh! teach me from my heart to say,
Thy will be done!

2. Though dark my path, and sad my lot,
Let me be still, and murmur not,
Or breathe the prayer divinely taught,
Thy will be done!

3. What though in lonely grief I sigh,
For friends beloved, no longer nigh,
Submissive still would I reply,
Thy will be done!

4. If Thou shouldst call me to resign
What most I prize, it ne’er was mine;
I only yield Thee what was Thine;
Thy will be done!

5. Should pining sickness waste away,
My life in premature decay,
My Father! still I strive to say,
Thy will be done!

6. If but my fainting heart be blest
With Thy sweet Spirit for its guest,
My God! to Thee I leave the rest—
Thy will be done!

7. Renew my will from day to day,
Blend it with Thine, and take away
All now that makes it hard to say,
Thy will be done!

8. Then when on earth I breathe no more
The prayer oft mixed with tears before,
I’ll sing upon a happier shore,
Thy will be done!

Text Information

• First Line: My God and Father! while I stray
• Title: My God and Father! While I Stray
• Author: Charlotte Elliott (1834)
• Meter: 88.84
• Language: English
• Source: The Invalid's Hymn Book, 1834
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tunes: ALMSGIVING (DYKES), John B. Dykes, 1865; EAST CHURCH, Elizabeth W. Freeman, 1899 (repeats last line); SUNSET, Joseph Barnby, 1887

Tune Information

• Name: HANFORD (Sullivan)
• Composer: Arthur Seymour Sullivan (1874)
• Meter: 88.84
• Incipit: 55555 43266 66654
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain