Hymn Information
Great God! And Wilt Thou Condescend
Notes
First appeared in A. & J. Taylor's Hymns for Infant Minds, 1810, No. 5, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines (edition 1886, p. 10). It is entitled, "Our Father, which art in heaven." For many years it was received as the production of Jane Taylor; but now, on the authority of Mrs. Gilbert's Memorials, it is rightly assigned to the latter. It is of this hymn that her biographer writes:—
"It may not be too much to say that the manner of the Divine Teacher has been seldom more nearly approached. Such might have been the little child whom 'He set in the midst.' In such words might the most mature Christian address his Father in heaven." Memorials, 1874, vol. i. p. 224.
This is the most popular of Mrs. Gilbert's hymns, and is in extensive use in all English-speaking countries.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Lyrics
Great God! and wilt Thou condescend
To be my Father and my Friend?
I but a child and Thou so high,
The Lord of earth and air and sky!
Art Thou my Father? let me be
A meek, obedient child to Thee;
And try, in ev'ry deed and thought,
To serve and please Thee as I ought.
Art Thou my Father? I'll depend
Upon the care of such a Friend;
And only wish to do and be
Whatever seemeth good to Thee.
Art Thou my Father? then, at last,
When all my days on earth are past,
Send down and take me, in Thy love,
To be Thy better child above.
To be my Father and my Friend?
I but a child and Thou so high,
The Lord of earth and air and sky!
Art Thou my Father? let me be
A meek, obedient child to Thee;
And try, in ev'ry deed and thought,
To serve and please Thee as I ought.
Art Thou my Father? I'll depend
Upon the care of such a Friend;
And only wish to do and be
Whatever seemeth good to Thee.
Art Thou my Father? then, at last,
When all my days on earth are past,
Send down and take me, in Thy love,
To be Thy better child above.
Comments
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