1. How tedious and tasteless the hours
  When Jesus no longer I see!
  Sweet prospects, sweet birds and sweet flow'rs,
  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.
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.
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 blessed with a sense of His love,
  A palace a toy would appear;
  And prisons would palaces prove,
  If Jesus would dwell with me there.
4. My 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?
  Oh, drive these dark clouds from the sky,
  Thy soul��cheering presence restore;
  Or take me to Thee up on high,
  Where winter and clouds are no more.