How Long, O Lord, How Long, We Ask

For Second Advent

Words: William Chatterton Dix (1837-1865)

Tune: George Cooper, "St. Sepulchre," LM

Source: Arthur Sullivan, ed., Church Hymns With Tunes (London: S.P.C.K., 1874), #385, p. 323.

"0 Lord, how long?"— Ps. vi. 3.

1. How long, O Lord, how long, we ask,
Before our spirits shall be free,
Before we reach the golden land,
And Israel's strong salvation see ?

2. How long, O Lord, how long ? they cry,
Beneath Thine altar day and night,
Who with deep yearning hearts await
The fulness of celestial light.

3. How long, O Lord ? creation cries :
The tribes of men take up the strain ;
When shall the poor oppressed go free,
The captive cast away his chain ?

4. O Jesu, who didst win us back
From sin and death to God and grace,
When shall we tread the shining streets,
And see Thy glory face to face !

5. We are impatient, and forget
The battle stern that must be won.
Help us, O Lord, in Thee to strive,
And then to pray, " Thy will be done."

6. For first the strife, and then the crown ;
First the day's march, and then the rest ;
First comes the watch, the cross, the grave,
And then the Sabbath, bright and blest.

7. Thou art our Strength ! No foe shall harm,
Thy love shall shield us to the last.
Thou art our Life ! Since Thou hast died,
The bitterness of death is past ! Amen.

Sheet Music to George Cooper, "St. Sepulchre," from Arthur Sullivan, ed., Church Hymns With Tunes (London:  S.P.C.K., 1874), #385, p. 319.

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