How Tedious and Tasteless

None upon earth I desire besides thee by John Newton


 * How tedious and tasteless the hours
 * When Jesus I no longer 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.


 * 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 as happy as I,
 * My summer would last all the year.


 * 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;
 * All prisons would palaces prove,
 * If Jesus would dwell with me there.


 * 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 the sky,
 * Thy soul-cheering presence restore;
 * Or take me to Thee up on high,
 * Where winter and clouds are no more.