"Farewell I Gladly Bid Thee"
                       by Valerius Herberger, 1562-1627
                 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
                                  Text From:
                       THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
               (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)p.292



        1. Farewell I gladly bid Thee,
        False, evil world, farewell.
        Thy life is vain and sinful,
        With Thee I would not dwell.
        I long to be in heaven,
        In that untroubled sphere
        Where they will be rewarded
        Who served their God while here.

        2. By Thy good counsel lead me,
        O Son of God, my Stay;
        In each perplexing trial
        Help me, O Lord, I pray.
        Mine hour of sorrow shorten,
        Support my fainting heart,
        From every cross deliver,
        The crown of life impart.

        3. When darkness round me gathers,
        Thy name and cross, still bright,
        Deep in my heart are sparkling
        Like stars in blackest night.
        O heart, this image cherish:
        The Christ on Calvary,
        How patiently He suffered
        And shed His blood for me!

        4. Lord, hide my soul securely
        Deep in Thy wounded side;
        From every danger shield me
        And to Thy glory guide.
        He has been truly blessed
        Who reaches heaven above;
        He has found perfect healing
        Who rests upon Thy love.

        5. Lord, write my name, I pray Thee,
        Now in the Book of Life
        And with all true believers
        Take me where joys are rife.
        There let me bloom and flourish,
        Thy perfect freedom prove,
        And tell, as I adore Thee,
        How faithful was Thy love.

        

        Notes:
        Hymn #407 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
        Text: Rev. 3:5
        Author: Valerius Herberger, 1613
        Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
        Titled: "Valet will ich dir geben"
        Composer: Melchior Teschner, 1613
        Tune: "Valet will ich dir geben"
This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by Debbie Harris and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary. E-mail: bob_smith@ctsfw.edu
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