385. Jesu, the very thought of thee

1 Jesu, the very thought of thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far thy face to see,
And in thy presence rest.

2 Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find,
A sweeter sound than thy blest name,
O Saviour of mankind!

3 O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind thou art!
How good to those who seek!

4 But what to those who find? Ah, this
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus, what it is
None but his loved ones know.

4 Jesu, our only joy be thou,
As thou our prize wilt be;
Jesu, be thou our glory now,
And through eternity.

Text Information
First Line: Jesu, the very thought of thee
Latin Title: Jesu, dulcis memoria
Translator: Edward Caswall, 1814-78
Meter: CM
Language: English
Publication Date: 1986
Topic: The Circumcision of Christ: January 1st
Source: Latin, 12th century
Tune Information
Name: ST BOTOLPH
Composer: Gordon Slater, 1896-1979
Meter: CM
Key: E♭ Major
Copyright: By permission of Oxford University Press (from "English Hymnal")



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