Joy! joy! a year is born;

A year to man is given,

For hope, and peace, and love,

For faith, and truth, and heaven.

Though earth be dark with care,

With death and sorrow rife,

Yet toil, and pain, and prayer,

Lead to our higher life.

Behold, the fields are white!

No longer idly stand!

Go forth in love and might;

Man needs thy helping hand.

Thus may each day and year

To prayer and toil be given,

Till man to God draw near,

And earth become like heaven.