If the world were mine and all its store,

And were it of crystal gold;

Could I reign on its throne for evermore

From the ancient days of old,

An empress noble and fair as day,

O gladly might it be,

That I might cast it all away;

Christ, only Christ for me.

For Christ my Lord my spirit longs,

For Christ, my Saviour dear;

The joy and sweetness of my songs

The whilst I wander here—

O Lord, my spirit fain would flee

From the lonely desert away to Thee.