OH WOULD I WERE HAPPY.
OH WOULD I WERE HAPPY.
1833.
1.
Oh would I were happy! If wealth can but buy
The favour of heaven, and peace from on high,
My riches I’ll give to the helpless and poor,
And load him with kindness, that begs at my door;
The widow and orphan my bounty shall share,
And all the afflicted partake of my care.
2.
Oh would I were happy! the sorrows and cares,
Which each new-born hour to my troubled heart bears,
Disgust me with all the gay pleasures of earth,
And weary me with its vain-glory and mirth;
If penance can wash out my guiltiness deep,
In sackcloth and ashes my crimes I will weep.
3.
But hearken! what voice is it falls on mine ear!
How gracious the message, the tidings how dear;
’Tis the voice of the Saviour that promiseth rest,
To the children of sorrow in mercy addrest,
Oh hear and be happy, yes happy in truth,
’Twill solace thine age, and ’twill strengthen thy youth.
4.
Oh come to the waters! come taste of the wave,
The waters of life, ever potent to save!
Who drinks of this fountain, shall thirst never more:
It springeth within, till his journey is o’er;
Ho! each one that thirsteth; the lofty, the low,
Come all to the fount I have bidden to flow.
5.
Oh these are the tidings so sweet to mine ear;
My sorrows are vanished, my spirit is clear!
Mine alms are worth little; my labour is vain,
My penance, unable this peace to obtain;
The treasures of Ophir, too poor a reward,
To purchase this peace—’tis the gift of the Lord.