Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost

Categories: hymns

Date: 16 June 2008 01:03:04

One of my favourite hymns, written by Christopher Wordsworth [nephew of the poet William Wordsworth].

Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost,
taught by thee we covet most,
of thy gifts at Pentecost,
holy heavenly, love.

Love is kind and suffers long,
love is meek and thinks no wrong,
love than death itself more strong;
therefore, give us love.

Prophecy will fade away,
melting in the light of day;
love will ever with us stay;
therefore, give us love.

Faith will vanish into sight;
hope be emptied in delight;
love in heaven will shine more bright;
therefore give us love.

Faith and hope and love we see,
joining hand in hand agree,
but the greatest of the three,
and the best, is love.

From the overshadowing
of thy gold and silver wing
shed on us, who to thee sing,
holy, heavenly love.

Kerensa asked about the tune: I know it to Guildford Cathedral, but Cyber Hymnal and Oremus Hymnal have different tunes: ah! the joy of hymnody.