The Way Is Long and Dreary

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The way is long and dreary, the path is bleak and bare

Author: Adelaide Anne Procter
Tune: VIA CRUCIS (Dykes)
Published in 35 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 The way is long and dreary,
The path is bleak and bare,
Our feet are worn and weary,
But we will not despair.
More heavy was Thy burden,
More desolate Thy way:
O Lamb of God, who takest
The sin of the world away,
Have mercy upon us!

2 The snows lie thick around us
In the dark and gloomy night,
The tempest roars above us,
The stars have hid their light;
But blacker was the darkness
‘Round Calvary’s cross that day:
O Lamb of God, who takest
The sin of the world away,
Have mercy upon us!

3 Our hearts are faint with sorrow,
Heavy and sad to bear;
We dread the bitter morrow,
But we will not despair.
Thou knowest all our anguish,
And Thou wilt bid it cease:
O Lamb of God, who takest
The sin of the world away,
O give to us Thy peace!

Source: The Lutheran Hymnary #267

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Author: Adelaide Anne Procter

Not to be confused with Adelaide A. Pollard. Adelaide Anne Proctor was born in London, in 1825. Her father, Brian W. Proctor, is well known by his literary nom de guerre of Barry Cornwall. In 1853, Miss Proctor became a contributor to Dickens' "Household Words." Her reputation as a poet was secured by the publication of her first volume of "Legends and Lyrics," in 1858. A second volume was added in 1860. She also published other compositions in poetry and prose. She died in 1864. She was a member of the Roman Catholic Church. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872.… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	The way is long and dreary, the path is bleak and bare
Title:	The Way Is Long and Dreary
Author:	Adelaide Anne Procter
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	O Lamb of God who takest the sins of the world
Copyright:	Public Domain