How tedious and tasteless the hours
by John Newton
Representative text
As printed in The Church Hymnal (1941), no. 660 — the newest hymnal carrying it.
Verse 1
How tedious and tasteless the hours When Jesus no longer I see! Sweet prospects, sweet birds, and sweet flowers Have all lost their sweetness to me. The midsummer sun shines but dim; The fields strive in vain to look gay; But when I am happy in Him, December's as pleasant as May.
Verse 2
His name yields the richest perfume, And sweeter than music His voice; His presence disperses my gloom, And makes all within me rejoice; I should, were He always thus nigh, Have nothing to wish or to fear; No mortal so happy as I, My summer would last all the year.
Verse 3
Content with beholding His face, My all to His pleasure resigned, No changes of season or place Would make any change in my mind. While blest with a sense of His love, A palace a toy would appear; And prisons would palaces prove, If Jesus would dwell with me there.
Verse 4
Dear Lord, if indeed I am Thine, If Thou art my sun and my song, Say, why do I languish and pine? And why are my winters so long? O drive these dark clouds from my sky; Thy soul-cheering presence restore; Or take me unto Thee on high, Where winter and clouds are no more.