Say not the struggle naught availeth

1 Say not, The struggle nought availeth,
The labour and the wounds are vain,
The enemy faints not nor faileth,
And as things have been they remain.

2 If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars;
It may be, in yon smoke concealed,
Your comrades chase e'en now the fliers,
And but for you possess the field.

3 For while the tired waves, vainly breaking,
Seem here no painful inch to gain,
Far back, through creeks and inlets making,
Comes silent, flooding in, the main.

4 And not by eastern windows only,
When daylight comes, comes in the light;
In front the sun climbs slow how slowly!
But westward, look! the land is bright.

Source: Methodist Hymn and Tune Book: official hymn book of the Methodist Church #402