Catherine Winkworth (trans. & ed.) · 78 of 213
73. Sweetest Fount of holy gladness
Whitsuntide
(Index of Tunes, LIV.)
Tune.--"Christ the Life of all the living."
Sweetest Fount of holy gladness, Fairest light was ever shed, Who alike in joy and sadness Leavest none unvisited; Spirit of the Highest God, Lord, from whom is life bestow'd, Who upholdest ev'rything, Hear me, hear me, while I sing.
Thou art shed like gentlest showers From the Father and the Son, Bringing to us 'd powers, Purest blessing from their throne; Suffer then, O noble Guest, That rich gift by Thee possest, That Thou givest at Thy will, All my being now to fill.
Thou art ever true and holy, Sin and falsehood Thou dost hate; But Thou comest where the lowly And the pure Thy presence wait; Wash me then, O well of , Every stain and spot efface, Let me flee what Thou dost flee, Grant me what Thou lov'st to see.
Well content am I if only Thou wilt deign to dwell with me; With Thee I am never lonely, Never comfortless with Thee; Thine for ever make me now, And to Thee, my Lord, I vow Here and yonder to employ Every power for Thee with joy,
When I cry for help, oh hear me When I sink, oh haste to save; When I die, be inly near me, Be my hope e'en in the grave; Bring me when I rise again To the land that knows no pain, Where Thy followers from Thy stream Drink for ever joys supreme!
O du allersüsste Freude