481. Dear Lord and Father

1 Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise.

2 In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word,
rise up and follow thee.

3 O sabbath rest by Galilee,
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with thee
the silence of eternity,
interpreted by love!

4 Drop thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of thy peace.

5 Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.

Text Information
First Line: Dear Lord and Father of mankind
Title: Dear Lord and Father
Author: John Greeleaf Whittier (1807-1892) (1872)
Meter: 8.6.8.8.6.
Publication Date: 1985
Topic: Christan Life: Meditation and Prayer
Tune Information
Name: REST
Composer: F. C. Maker (1844-1927) (1887)
Meter: 8.6.8.8.6.
Incipit: 33323 55443 1122
Key: C Major


Tune Information:

Alternate tune and additional stanzas, REPTON, No. 480


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