Naaman

1 Before Elisha's gate
The Syrian leper stood,
But could not brook to wait,
He deem'd himself too good:
He thought the prophet would attend,
And not to him a message send.

2 Have I this journey come,
And will he not be seen?
I were as well at home,
Would washing make me clean:
Why must I wash in Jordan's flood?
Damascus' rivers are as good.

3 Thus, by his foolish pride,
He almost miss'd a cure;
Howe'er at length he try'd
And found the method sure:
Soon as his pride was brought to yield,
His leprosy was quickly heal'd.

4 Leprous and proud as he,
To Jesus thus I came,
From sin to set me free,
When first I heard his fame:
Surely, thought I, my pompous train
Of vows and tears will notice gain.

5 My heart devis'd the way
Which I suppos'd he'd take;
And when I found delay,
Was ready to go back:
Had he some painful task enjoin'd
I to performance seem'd inclin'd.

6 When by his word he spake,
"that fountain open'd see;
"Twas open'd for thy sake,
"Go wash and thou art free:"
Oh! how did my proud heart gainsay,
I fear'd to trust this simple way.

7 At length I trial made,
When I had much endur'd,
The message I obey'd,
I wash'd and I was cur'd:
Sinners this healing fountain try
Which cleans'd a wretch so vile as I.

Source: Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians #16

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #9002