44. The year begins with Thee

1 The year begins with Thee,
And Thou begin'st with woe,
To let the world of sinners see
That blood for sin must flow.

2 Thine infant cries, O Lord,
Thy tears upon the breast,
Are not enough,--the legal sword
Must do its stern behest.

3 Am I a child of tears,
Cradled in care and woe?
And seems it hard my vernal years
Few vernal joys can show?

4 Seemeth it strange to me
My own will to deny?
Seemeth it sad, my soul, to thee,
Under the yoke to lie?

5 I look, and hold my peace:
The Giver of all good
E'en from the womb takes no release
From suffering, tears, and blood.

6 That I may reap in love,
Help me to sow in fear:
So life a winter's morn may prove
To a bright, endless year.

Text Information
First Line: The year begins with Thee
Meter: S. M.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1880
Topic: The Church Year: New Year
Notes: Author from Index: J. Keble
Tune Information
(No tune information)



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