Traditional Hymns

OLD TITLES:
Abide with Me
Amazing Grace
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Blessed Assurance
Blest Be the Tie That Binds
Bringing in the Sheaves
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Doxology
The Eyes of Texas
Faith of Our Fathers
O God, Our Help in Ages Past
He Leadeth Me
Holy, Holy, Holy
Home on the Range
I Love to Tell the Story
I Need Thee Every Hour
In the Garden
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Jesus Loves Me
Lead, Kindly Light
Lead on, O King Eternal
Little Brown Church in the Vale
Love Lifted Me
Nearer, My God to Thee
Now the Day Is Over
The Old Rugged Cross
Onward, Christian Soldiers
[Original composition.]
Rock of Ages
Shall We Gather at the River
Since Jesus Came into My Heart
Softly and Tenderly
Stand Up for Jesus
The Sweet By and By
Sweet Hour of Prayer
There Is a Fountain
There Is Power in the Blood
[Original composition.]
What a Friend
When the Roll Is Called up Yonder
Work for the Night Is Coming

OLD TEXTS (in alphabetical order)
Abide with Me
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

Amazing Grace
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

Battle Hymn of the Republic
Mine eyes have seen the glory
of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage
where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning
of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch fires
of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar
in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence
by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery Gospel
writ in burnished rows of steel;
"As ye deal with My contemners,
so with you My grace shall deal";
Let the Hero, born of woman,
crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Since God is marching on.



Blessed Assurance
Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Blest Be the Tie That Binds
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like that to that above.

Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one
Our comforts and our cares.

Bringing in the Sheaves
Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Refrain
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,

Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Refrain










Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise him all creatures here below.
Praise him above, ye heavenly host.
Praise father, son, and holy ghost.

The Eyes of Texas
The eyes of Texas are upon you
all the livelong day.
The eyes of Texas are upon you.
You cannot get away.
Do not think you can escape them
from night till early in the morn.
The eyes of Texas are upon you
till Gabriel blows his horn.

Faith of Our Fathers
Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whenever we hear that glorious Word!
Refrain
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.

Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto Thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
We all shall then be truly free.

He Leadeth Me
He leadeth me, O blessèd thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
Refrain
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.
Refrain

Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.











Home on the Range
O give me a home where the buffalo roam,
and the deer and the antelope play,
where seldom is heard a discouraging word
and the skies are not cloudy all day.
Home, home on the range,
where the deer and the antelope play,
where seldom is heard a discouraging word
and the skies are not cloudy all day.

I Love to Tell the Story
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
Refrain
I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.
Refrain

I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.
Refrain

I Need Thee Every Hour
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
Refrain
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.
Refrain


In the Garden
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
Refrain

Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.

Jesus Loves Me
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Refrain
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, "Let them come to Me."
Refrain
Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.
Refrain

Lead, Kindly Light
Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom,
lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path;
but now lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!
So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent,
till the night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
which I
Have loved long since, and lost awhile!
Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,
Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Savior, lead me home in childlike faith,
home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.

Lead on, O King Eternal
Lead on, O King eternal,
The day of march has come;
Henceforth in fields of conquest
Thy tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation
Thy grace has made us strong;
And now, O King eternal,
We lift our battle song.

Little Brown Church in the Vale
There’s a church in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier spot in the dale;
No place is so dear to my childhood,
As the little brown church in the vale.
Refrain
Come to the church in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the dale,
No spot is so dear to my childhood,
As the little brown church in the vale.

How sweet on a clear, Sabbath morning,
To list to the clear ringing bell;
Its tones so sweetly are calling,
Oh, come to the church in the vale.
Refrain

Love Lifted Me
I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea,
heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Refrain
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me!
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me!

All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling
In His blessèd presence live, ever His praises sing,
Love so mighty and so true,
merits my soul’s best songs,
Faithful, loving service too,
to Him belongs.
Refrain

Nearer, My God, to Thee
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
Refrain
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God to Thee.
Refrain

Now the Day Is Over
Now the day is over,
Night is drawing nigh,
Shadows of the evening
Steal across the sky.
Now the darkness gathers,
Stars begin to peep,
Birds, and beasts and flowers
Soon will be asleep.

Jesus, give the weary
Calm and sweet repose;
With Thy tenderest blessing
May mine eyelids close.
Grant to little children
Visions bright of Thee;
Guard the sailors tossing
On the deep, blue sea.

O God, Our Help in Ages Past
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

The Old Rugged Cross
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

Onward, Christian Soldiers
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
Refrain
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Refrain
































































Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

Shall We Gather at the River
Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?
Refrain
Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will talk and worship ever,
All the happy golden day.
Refrain
Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.
Refrain
At the smiling of the river,
Mirror of the Savior’s face,
Saints, whom death will never sever,
Lift their songs of saving grace.
Refrain
Soon we’ll reach the shining river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.
Refrain

Since Jesus Came into My Heart
What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Floods of joy o’er my soul
Like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
I have ceased from my wandering and going astray,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And my sins, which were many, are all washed away,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain
I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain
There’s a light in the valley of death now for me,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And the gates of the City beyond I can see,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain
I shall go there to dwell in that City, I know,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And I’m happy, so happy, as onward I go,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain

Softly and Tenderly
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

Refrain
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?
Refrain

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.
Refrain.

Stand Up for Jesus
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the solemn watchword hear;
If while ye sleep He suffers,
away with shame and fear;
Where’er ye meet with evil,
within you or without,
Charge for the God of battles,
and put the foe to rout.

The Sweet By and By
There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.
Refrain
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.
Refrain

Sweet Hour of Prayer
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

There Is a Fountain
There is a fountain filled with blood
drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains,
lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see
that fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he,
washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away,
washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he,
washed all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God
be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more,
be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God
be saved, to sin no more.

There Is Power in the Blood
Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;
Would you o’er evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful power in the blood.
Refrain
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb.
Would you be free from your passion and pride?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;
Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide;
There’s wonderful power in the blood.
Refrain









What a Friend We Have in Jesus
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything
to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound,
and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather
over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Refrain
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.
On that bright and cloudless morning
when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Refrain

Work, For the Night Is Coming
Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the morning hours;
Work while the dew is sparkling,
Work ’mid springing flowers;
Work when the day grows brighter,
Work in the glowing sun;
Work, for the night is coming,
When man’s work is done.
Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the sunny noon;
Fill brightest hours with labor,
Rest comes sure and soon.
Give every flying minute,
Something to keep in store;
Work, for the night is coming,
When man works no more.
Work, for the night is coming,
Under the sunset skies;
While their bright tints are glowing,
Work, for daylight flies.
Work till the last beam fadeth,
Fadeth to shine no more;
Work, while the night is darkening,
When man’s work is o’er.

The Texas Zen Hymnbook

NEW TITLES
Light from Within
Amazing Grace
One Light from Many Lamps
Polish Your Knob
Blest Be Those Who Do Not Believe
Seeing through the Veil
Here the Fount
Doxology
The Texas Desert
Faith of the Sages
Helios, Our Help in Ages Past
They’re Leading Me
Holy, Holy, Holy
Peace from the One
I Love to Tell the Story
Sva na hi Kana lo
In the Garden
The Farmer and the Archer
Fools Surround Us
Lead, Kindly Light
Lead on, O Light Eternal
Little Green Glade in the Vale
Silence Lifted Me
The White Bird Disappears
Now the Night Is Over
The Old Rugged Tree
Quiet on the Freeways
The Rainbow Bird
Mystery’s Curtain
Shall We Gather at the River
Since My Eyes Learned How Not to Judge
Softly and Tenderly
Tend to the Sick and Lonely
The Sweet Here and Now (Koi Paraga)
The Way Is Here
There Is a Fountain
There is Power in the Void
Time’s a Round
Every Day’s Another Dawning
When the Rainbow Falls from Heaven
Work for the Night Is Coming

NEW TEXTS
Light from Within
Light from within: the earth, our hearth, our home.
Green, blue and brown all line the path we roam.
Even in darkness, in pain, alone, the light,
help of the helpless, solves old memory’s plight.

Swift to its close ebbs our life’s wondrous day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
Through fading eyes this rainbow calls to me.

Amazing grace!
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
When sight I first achieved.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

One Light from Many Lamps
Mine eyes have seen the colors
of a thousand glowing lamps.
Like rainbows in the darkness
they dispel the chilly damp.
Though beautiful each casts
long shadows from its tiny camp.
Each light comes shining through.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Each light comes shining through.

Oft I have seen your lovely light
that shines beside my own,
amid the many flowers
from the ancient seeds you’ve sown.
We’ll make a better world
than the one we all have known.
Its light comes shining through.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Its light comes shining through.

What's writ in love and carved
in hope, I read your wondrous lines.
They're treasures all, and true.
I smiling want to give you mine.
Such different words and stories new,
but see the tie that binds.
Our light comes shining through.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our light comes shining through.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! One light from many lamps.

Polish Your Knob
Polish your knob, o make it shine,
Big or yet small, o surely ‘tis thine.
Gone, all the stains. Away with the grime.
Open the door to land beyond time.

This is my glory, this is my song.
Freedom my dungeon, weak with the strong.
This is my glory, this is my song,
Praising the world all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Blest Be Those Who Do Not Believe
Blest be those who do not believe
the glib words their preachers receive.
Blest be those who know that it is best
to listen but then to go test.

Blest be those who question rich gowns,
fine suits, and gold chairs, and fake crowns.
Blest be those who doubt those who scream
and seek only Mammon’s bright gleam.

Seeing through the Veil
Seeing in the morning, seeing seeds of kindness,
Seeing in the noontide through the shadowy veil;
Stopping all the judging, no more quest for knowing,
We shall come rejoicing, none who try can fail.
Refrain
Seeing through the veil, seeing through the veil,
We shall come rejoicing. None who try can fail.
Seeing through the veil, seeing through the veil,
We shall come rejoicing. None who try can fail.
Refrain
Seeing in the sunshine, seeing in the shadows,
Seeing in the nighttime through the starry veil,
Finally eyes do open to the light within.
We shall come rejoicing, none who try can fail.
Refrain
Living in the dark, living in the dusk,
living in the sunset, living in the night,
stumbling in the shadows, bumbling through the fog,
Shouldn’t we be looking always for the light?
Refrain:
Looking for the light, looking for the light,
Shouldn’t we be looking always for the light?
Looking for the light, looking for the light,
Shouldn’t we be looking always for the light?

Here the Fount of Every Blessing
Here the fount of every blessing,
Tunes my heart to sing pure grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teaches me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the fount! I’m fixed within it,
Mount of all redeeming love.

Doxology
All things from the corporeal rise,
Deep roots where the incorporeal lies,
Itself beyond the cleverest eyes,
Nor great, nor good, nor light, nor wise.

The Texas Desert
The Texas desert is a mirror
reflecting what it sees.
The Texas desert is a mirror,
imprisoning what it frees.
O beware the lovely sunset,
seductive starry, starry night.
The Texas desert is a mirror,
where souls like ours take flight.

Faith of the Sages
Faith of the sages, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whenever we hear your glorious words!

Faith of the sages lights the way,
the open door where none say nay.

Faith of the sages, we will love
both friend and foe in all our strife,
to find and show the way you gave,
by kindly words and virtuous life.

They’re Leading Me
They’re leading me, O blessèd thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis the sages’ words that are leading me.
Refrain
They’re leading me, they’re leading me,
By their own words they’re leading me;
Their faithful follower I would be,
For by their words they’re leading me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still ’tis their words that are leading me.
Refrain

Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, holy, holy! Termite, roly-poly,
Grubworm, skink, and also asp, and yellow jacket too:
Flying, biting, buzzing, always irritating,
Tiny, fragile, painful, holy through and through.

Holy, holy, holy! Aspen, pine, pecan, and oak,
Willow, fir, and juniper, and apple, peach, and pear:
Holy, holy, holy, baobob and bo-tree:
Eternal friends to those who stop and learn to hear.

Holy, holy, holy! freshet, river, bayou, brook,
Mountain, mesa, steppe, and plain, and valley, glen, and dell.
Holy, holy, holy, continent and planet,
Gifts to all who come in peace, and sharing, here do dwell.

Holy, holy, holy! Muslim, Jew, and Christian,
Buddhist, atheist, agnostic too, sisters, brothers all.
Yellow, black, brown, red, and white: rainbow from the sun.
One, we rise. If any err, together all do fall.

Peace in the One
O do not remain in the dualistic state,
do avoid such pursuits with great care.
A trace of this-that, a hint of good-bad
Can but lead you to total despair.
Peace, peace in the one,
do avoid twinned pursuits with great care,
where noontime is night and darkness is light,
and the coyote sleeps quiet in his lair.

I Love to Tell the Story
I love to tell the story of unseen things right here,
of endless infinite loving, an Eden without fear.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
Refrain
I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story of one that isn’t two.

I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
Than all the techie fancies of all our techie dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.
Refrain

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
Refrain.

Sva Na Hi Kana Lo
Sva na hi Kana lo, me no me no le we
a li wa han so sui vut nat i mo lo pe.
Refrain:
sva na hi, o sva na hi
kana lo sva na he,
o ha la te, la le le.
na mu la ve to se.
Sva na hi Kana lo, i i sha hai ko hai,
a meka ba su ni ni a sva di o kai.

Refrain.


In the Garden
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
A hidden truth discloses.
Refrain
The trees await me there, and they talk with me,
And they tell me I am their own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
Few others have ever known.

They speak, and the sound of their voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that they gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain

I’d stay in the garden with them
Though the night around me be falling,
But they bid me go; through the voice of woe
Their voice to me is calling.
Refrain

The Farmer and the Archer
As the farmer in the field sends the waters to his yield,
As the archer with his bow takes his aim both smooth and slow,
And the sculptor carves his stone patiently by touch alone,
So the wise do shape their lives, so the wise do shape their lives.

As the mother rears her child with love’s wisdom, mercy mild,
As the earth us all enfolds to her bounteous bosom old,
As the music of the spheres daily falls on our young ears,
So the wise do shape their lives, so the wise do shape their lives.

Fools Surround Us
The believers shout, "Just so!
Our way is the way to go!"
Doubters smirk and say, "Oh, pooh!
Wishing doesn’t make it true!"
Refrain:
Yes, fools surround us.
Yes, fools surround us.
Yes, fools surround us.
World history tells me so.
I know what my body feels.
Tell me, please, how it can heal.
Also tell me where I go
Nightly when I leave this show.
Refrain.
If I’m only me, then how
Can I see behind your brow?
What TV is in my head
chatting with the living dead?
Refrain.

Lead, Kindly Light
Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom,
it leads me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
it leads me on!
It keeps my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that
it should lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path;
but now leads it me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!
So long its power has blest me, sure
it still will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent,
till the night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
which I
Have loved long since, and lost awhile!
Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,
that sages knew,
It gently leads me home in childlike faith,
when strife is through.
To rest forever after earthly qualms
In the quiet light of everlasting calm.

Lead on, O Light Eternal
Lead on, O light eternal,
till pride’s fierce greed shall cease,
desire a distant echo
of the sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords’ loud clashing,
Nor roll of stirring drums;
With deeds of love and mercy
The heavenly kingdom comes.

Little Green Glade in the Vale
There’s a glade in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier spot in the dale;
No place is so dear to my childhood,
As the little green glade in the vale.
Refrain
Come to the glade in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the glade in the dale,
No spot is so dear to my childhood,
As the little green glade in the vale.
Refrain
How sweet on a clear spring morning,
To list to the clear singing birds;
Their tones so sweetly are calling,
Oh, come to the glade in the vale.
Refrain

Silence Lifted Me
I was sinking deep in tales, far from the distant light,
Lost in clever words and wails,
sinking in tale-tellers’ night.
But I hushed the chattering mind,
patience became a friend.
I learned in quiet to find the void, to see at last an end.
Refrain:
Silence lifted me, silence lifted me.
When nothing else could help,
Silence lifted me.
Silence lifted me, silence lifted me.
When nothing else could help,
Silence lifted me.

All along with color and shape, swirling, seducing me,
Open, lost in endless rape, busy but never free,
Mind a hopeless tangle of words,
thinking the same old thoughts,
Wild, I sought the wisdom of trees,
after my quest for nought.
Refrain

The White Bird Disappears
See: In winter mist the white bird disappears.
The autumn stream unites with heaven near.
And all the world shall hear such songs of hope so clear.
Refrain:
The white bird disappears
in winter mist.
Through night that outshines day, brighter than noon,
Or under desert sun, all shadows gone,
Still all the world shall hear such songs of hope so clear.
Refrain.

Now the Night Is Over
Now the night is over,
Day is drawing nigh.
Shadows of the breaking dawn
Flee across the sky.
Now the sunrise brightens,
Stars begin to fade.
Birds and beasts and flowers
Wake to bright new day.

Light streams all around us,
Glory of the earth.
Gone, old Adam’s anger
On this day of birth.
Easy to remember
when we do forget:
Open up your eyes and
Lose old pain’s regret.

Helios, Our Help in Ages Past
Helios, our help in ages past
Our hope for years to come,
the source of all our energy,
true hearth of this, our home.
Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Bears all its seeds away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
Like flowery fields the nations stand
Pleased with the morning light;
The flowers beneath the mower’s hand
Lie withering ere ‘tis night.

The Old Rugged Tree
On a hill far away stood an old rugged tree,
an emblem of suffering and shame.
And I love that old tree that withstood ten thousand storms.
If you listen it whispers: No blame.

O I’ll cherish the old rugged tree
A good teacher, the wisest and best.
I will dance round the old rugged tree.
Its quiet words have made me truly blest.

Quiet on the Freeways
Quiet on the freeways, quiet in the skies,
quiet in the mind, ahimsa makes us wise.
quiet in the office, quiet in the school,
Peace the only weapon, peace the only tool.

Quiet on the freeways, quiet in the skies,
quiet in the mind, ahimsa makes us wise.

Lonely is the vigil, violence the drug,
Easy is the gunfire, hard still is the hug.
Lost in words and fairy tales we still wander blind,
shackled, deafened to the ties that can truly bind.
Refrain

The Rainbow BirdAs I walked through the forest one winter day
deeply lost in my thoughts of life's dark way,
I noticed a raven was following me,
cawing loudly and hopping from tree to tree.

I shooed him away for I wanted no friend,
but he kept hopping back as I rounded each bend.
He stopped at my feet and I knelt with alarm
as I saw that his wings were terribly deformed.

Shiny black were his feathers.
Shiny black were his eyes.
Shiny black were his cries.
But such wings... how could he fly?

My lone companion, this chattering bird,
of what he said I knew not a word.
Together we wandered far and wide,
a sad man and a noisy blackbird at his side.

The journey was long, and the sights were many
in that wondrous dark forest of baffling plenty.
Wherever we went, the people we met
were sad like myself, never ceasing to fret.

They heard the wind and my raven's black cries.
Their hearts were heavy under dull gray skies.
I too turned from the day and welcomed the night
as any man would, following my blackbird's broken flight.

Shiny black were his feathers.
Shiny black were his eyes.
Shiny black were his cries.
But such wings... how could he fly?
Repeat chorus.
One day my raven hopped no more.
He lay on the ground. his chattering over.
My eyes filled with tears. He raised his black head.
He opened his beak and clearly said:

"I have ridden your shoulder many a night and day,
and you never once heard what I had to say.
You sad foolish soul, at last I can show
what you were to blind to see and too frightened to know."

With that he died, and before my eyes,
where my raven had been there mounted to the skies
a rainbow bird on wings of light.
I shielded my eyes and wept at the sight.

Shiny black were his feathers.
Shiny black were his eyes.
Shiny black were his cries.
But such wings... how he did fly!

And my tears turned to laughter as I felt myself rise
toward my friend's joyful dancing in the open blue skies.

Shiny black were his feathers.
Shiny black were his eyes.
Shiny black were his cries.
But such wings... how we did fly!

Mystery’s Curtain
Mystery’s curtain, rent for me,
torn asunder, floating free.
Eyes squeezed shut, with trembling hand
I descry the wondrous land.
Mystery’s curtain, rent for me,
torn asunder, floating free.
Curtain open, mind gone quiet,
Union is the only light.
Windows everywhere you go,
open doors at every turn.
Mystery’s curtain, rent for me,
torn asunder, floating free.
Why not look and see and know?
Chattering mind can never learn
what it knows in spite of pain:
perfect loss the only gain.
Mystery’s curtain, rent for thee,
torn asunder, floating free.

Shall We Gather at the River
Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have stood,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the peaceful wood?
Refrain
Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The ever same, the ever different river;
Gather with the sages at the river
That flows by the peaceful wood.
On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will talk and worship ever,
All the happy golden day.
Refrain
Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.
Refrain
At the smiling of the river,
Mirror of the sages’ face,
Sages, whom death will never sever,
Lift their songs of saving grace.
Refrain
Soon we’ll reach the shining river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.
Refrain

Since My Eyes Learned How Not to Judge
What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since my eyes learned how not to judge!
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,
Since my eyes learned how not to judge!
Refrain
Since my eyes learned how not to judge,
Since my eyes learned how not to judge,
Floods of joy o’er my soul
Like the sea billows roll,
Since my eyes learned how not to judge.
I have ceased from my wandering and going astray,
Since my eyes learned how not to judge,
And my sins, which were many, are all washed away,
Since my eyes learned how not to judge!
Refrain
I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,
Since my eyes learned how not to judge!
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,
Since my eyes learned how not to judge!
Refrain
There’s a light in the valley of death now for me,
Since my eyes learned how not to judge!
And the gates of the City beyond I can see,
Since my eyes learned how not to judge!
Refrain
I shall go there to dwell in that City, I know,
Since my eyes learned how not to judge!
And I’m happy, so happy, as onward I go,
Since my eyes learned how not to judge!
Refrain

Softly and Tenderly
Softly and tenderly Nature is calling,
Calling for you and for me.
See, in the mountains and valleys it’s waiting,
Waiting for you and for me.

Refrain:
Come home, come home.
You who are weary, come home.
Earnestly, tenderly Nature is calling,
Calling, O children, come home.

Why should we tarry when Nature is calling,
Calling for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not its mercies,
mercies for you and for me?
Refrain.

Go spend an hour each day in the gloaming,
Sit quiet. Be done with your roaming.
Static and noise will soon fade from your mind:
Gift that all seekers can find.
Refrain.

Tend to the Sick and Lonely
Tend to the sick and lonely, you winners of the game.
You lucky ones at the top, see to the weak and lame.
Fold down your leather seats and give them all a ride.
Try life’s slow lane today with smiling death at your side.

Read to, walk with the blind ones,
you gleeful memory hogs.
Fill up your RAM with pretties,
not merely porno logs,
To share with those who cannot quite
reach the keys to play.
You long ago OD’d on fun.
Send a bit their way.

The Sweet Here and Now (Koi Paraga)
There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it right here;
a millennium always at hand,
With its opening gates, Eden fair.
Refrain
In the sweet here and now,
We can meet on this beautiful shore;
In the sweet here and now,
We can meet on this beautiful shore.
We can sing on this beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed;
And our spirits can sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.
Refrain

The Way Is Here
If I weren’t here, where would I be?
What was my face before my birth?
Without these eyes how can I see?
Where is my home beyond this earth?
The way is here, the way is there,
The way is truly everywhere.
No yes, no no, no joy, no plight.
It needs no face, no eyes, no light,
When grief descends and joy has flown,
Decay does reign and growth seems gone,
No ecstasy, nor hope nor spark
Of love, I stumble and curse the dark.
The way is here, the way is there,
The way is truly everywhere.
No yes, no no, no joy, no plight.
It needs no face, no eyes, no light.

There Is a Forest
There is a forest filled with peace
where my heart finds its rest.
Just go and sit to find release.
‘Tis Gaia’s true bequest.
’Tis Gaia’s true bequest,
‘tis Gaia’s true bequest.
Just go and sit to find release.
‘Tis Gaia’s true bequest.

No matter what your wild misdeed,
nor what your errant path,
however great your ravenous greed,
the trees absorb your wrath.
The trees absorb your wrath,
the trees absorb your wrath.
However great your ravenous greed,
the trees absorb your wrath.

Their roots beneath, their limbs above
with unseen eyes and ears,
and patience filled with love, the trees
are wise beyond our years.
They’re wise beyond our years,
they’re wise beyond our years.
Their patience filled with love, the trees
are wise beyond our years.

There Is Power in the Void
Would you be free from the burden of hope?
There’s power in the void, power in the void.
You want to live beyond joy’s scope?
There’s wonderful power in the void.
Refrain:
There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the peace of the Void.
There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the precious peace of the Void.
Would you be free from fear and despair?
There’s power in the void, power in the void.
Come for a cleansing in emptiness, where
There’s wonderful power in the void.
Refrain.

Time’s a Round
Time’s a round, time’s a round,
A circle you see, a circle to be.
Eternal recurrence, the karmic wheel,
A time to live, a time to feel.
Merry-go-round, go round go we,
Merry-go-round, go round go we.

Every Day’s Another Dawning.
Every day’s another dawning.
Give the morning winds a chance.
Always catch your thunder yawning.
Lift your mind into the dance.
Sweep the shadows from your awning.
Shrink the fourfold circumstance.
Stop self-pity’s pious moaning.
End the preachers’ noisy cant.

What a friend we have in Gaia,
bounteous water, food, and air.
What a friend we have in Gaia,
rich and regal mother fair.
Sweep the shadows from your awning.
Shrink the fourfold circumstance.
Every day’s another dawning.
Give the morning winds a chance.

When the Rainbow Falls from Heaven
O when hate and love combine, when pain and pleasure merge as one,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair
Gain is loss and loss is gain,
the sky is frozen, ice does run
And the rainbow falls from heaven, I’ll rejoice.
Refrain:
When the rainbow falls from heaven,
When the rainbow falls from heaven,
When the rainbow falls from heaven,
When the rainbow falls from heaven, I’ll rejoice.
When the day is night and night is day,
the TV finally dark,
Four-wheel, two-ton monsters guzzle gas no more,
Hungry drilling rigs are banished from every national park,
When the rainbow falls from heaven, I’ll rejoice.
Refrain.


Work, For the Night Is Coming
Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the morning hours;
Work while the dew is sparkling,
Work ’mid springing flowers;
Play when the day grows brighter,
Play in the glowing sun;
Play, for the night is coming,
When our play is done.
Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the sunny noon;
Fill brightest hours with labor,
Rest comes sure and soon.
Give every flying minute,
Something to keep in store;
Work, for the night is coming,
When we work no more.
Work, for the night is coming,
Under the sunset skies;
While their bright tints are glowing,
Work, for daylight flies.
Play till the last beam fadeth,
Fadeth to shine no more;
Play, while the night is darkening,
When our play is o’er.