I cannot lift mine eyes,

For O, my sin is great,--

High as the hills that rise

Up, up to heaven's gate;--

I cannot lift mine eyes,

So great my sin, so great.

But I would smite my breast,

And bow me at the Cross;

And well He knows the rest,

My sense of shame, and loss;

Yea, I would smite my breast,

And bow me at His Cross.

Mayhap when I have told

The burden of my sin,

He'll make my spirit bold,

And speak, and soothe, and win;--

All this when I have told

The burden of my sin.

Then shall I lift mine eyes,

And see the sin removed,

And in the cloudless skies

Behold the Well-Beloved;--

Then shall I lift mine eyes,

And see my sin removed.