Jesus, while he dwelt below,

As divine historians say,

To a place would often go,

Near to Kedron’s brook that lay:

In this place he loved to be,

And ’twas named Gethsemane.

’Twas a garden, as we read,

At the foot of Olivet,

Low and proper to be made

The Redeemer’s lone retreat:

When from noise he would be free,

Then he sought Gethsemane.

Thither, by their Master brought,

His disciples likewise came;

There the heavenly truths he taught

Often set their hearts on flame:

Therefore they, as well as he,

Visited Gethsemane.

Oft conversing here they sat;

Or might join with Christ in prayer;

O, what blest devotion that,

When the Lord himself is there!

All things there did so agree

To endear Gethsemane.

Full of love to man’s lost race,

On the conflict much he thought;

This he knew the destined place,

And he loved the sacred spot:

Therefore Jesus chose to be

Often in Gethsemane.