Ye Birds, Awake, For Dawn Is Near

1 Ye birds, awake, for the dawn is near,
Enliven the land with your singing;
Sing praises to God from your loftiest sphere
And thank Him for life and the light that the morning is bringing.

2 The swallows fly, by the church at play,
While sparrows from dwellings are pouting;
They all sing good morning and bid you good day:
"God's speed to you all while we joyfully upward are soaring."

3 Their joyful songs to the Lord arise,
He knows every bird under heaven;
He watches their flight and He heareth their sighs,
He gives them protection, when tempests them widely have driven.

4 Thou watchest over Thy children, God,
Thy child in Thy kindness rejoices;
When leaving their perches the birds soar abroad,
Thou hearest the praise of Thy children 'mongst millions of voices.

Source: Hymnal for Church and Home (2nd ed.) #49