The Little Seraph ‎#33

33. The penitent thief

1 As on the cross the Saviour hung,
And wept, and bled, and died,
He pour'd salvation on a wretch
That languish'd by his side.

2 His crimes, with inward grief and shame,
The penitent confessed;
Then turned his dying eyes to Christ,
And thus his prayer addressed:

3 "Jesus, thou Son and Heir of heaven,
Thou spotless Lamb of God,
I see thee bathed in sweat and tears,
And welt'ring in thy blood.

4 "Yet quickly from those scenes of woe,
In triumph thou shalt rise,
Burst through the gloomy shades of death,
And mount above the skies.

5 "Amid the glories of that world,
Dear Saviour, think on me:
And, in the vict'ries of thy death
May I a sharer be!"

6 His prayer the dying Jesus heard,
And instantly replied,
"To-day thy parting soul shall be
With me in Paradise."

Text Information

• First Line: As on the cross the Saviour hung
• Title: The penitent thief
• Publication Date: 1874

Tune Information

• Name: THE PENITENT THIEF
• Meter: C. M.
• Key: A Major