1 Now are the days of humblest prayer,
When consciences to God lie bare,
And mercy most delights to spare.

Refrain:
Oh hearken when we cry,
Chastise us with Thy fear;
Yet, Father! in the multitude
Of Thy compassions, hear!

2 Now is the season, wisely long,
Of sadder thought and graver song,
When ailing souls grow well and strong. [Refrain]

3 The feast of penance! Oh so bright,
With true conversion’s heav’nly light,
Like sunrise after stormy night! [Refrain]

4 Oh happy time of blessèd tears,
Of surer hopes, of chastening fears,
Undoing all our evil years. [Refrain]

5 We, who have loved the world, must learn,
Upon that world our backs to turn,
And with the love God to burn. [Refrain]

6 Vile creatures of such little worth!
Than we, there can be none on earth
More fallen from their Christian birth. [Refrain]

7 Full long in sin’s dark ways we went,
Yet now our steps are heav’nward bent,
And grace is plentiful in Lent. [Refrain]

8 All glory to redeeming grace,
Disdaining not our evil case,
But showing us our Savior’s face! [Refrain]