1 O God, in mercy mild,
Preserve me as Thy child,
And be to me a Father and Defender;
Teach me, when shadows fall,
Upon Thy name to call
And lift my hands to Thee for mercy tender.

2 Teach me with joy to hail
The hope that can not fail,
Which Thou didst give to me in life's bright morning;
Teach me in life and death
With care to keep the faith,
And follow Thee with love and ardor burning.

3 Teach me like birds to sing
The songs that hope will bring
To him who toils as well as to the rover;
Teach me in darkest night
As birds to make my flight
To Thee who with Thy pinions me wilt cover.

4 Teach me, when clouded skies
Do veil my spirit's eyes
And foes attack and thorns and thistles tear me,
To trust in Thee, O God,
Who guidest with Thy rod,
Until the light breaks thro' the clouds that scare me.

5 Teach me some day to die,
As seeds that sprouting lie,
With hope for life beyond death's gloomy portal,
Where I shall meet with friends,
Whom Jesus Christ attends,
In Paradise among the saints immortal.