1 Eternal Father! who can tell
The years of Thy right hand?
Like sunbeams bright, but numberless,
Or as the ocean's sand.
2 Thine ageless age no limit knows,
No dawn began Thy day,
Nor evening shade shall ever fall
Upon Thy glorious way.
3 All time is but a fleeting wave
Upon Thy calm, deep sea,
A fading leaf that feebly falls
From Life's Eternal Tree.
4 Yet unto Thee our fleeting years,
Our fading days, are known,
And every hour its message bears
To the eternal Throne.
5 Into the hand of Him who died,
Who evermore doth live,
This strange and solemn New Year's path
In trustful prayer we give.
6 Enough for us to hear His voice,
To feel His guiding hand,
To know each step is bringing us
Nearer the Better Land.
Source: Methodist Hymn and Tune Book: official hymn book of the Methodist Church #617