Father, Let Me Dedicate

Father

let me de­di­cate

All this year to Thee

In what­ev­er world­ly state

Thou wilt have me be:

Not from sor­row

pain or care

Freedom dare I claim;

This alone shall be my pray­er

Glorify Thy name.

Can a child pre­sume to choose

Where or how to live?

Can a Fa­ther’s love re­fuse

All the best to give?

More Thou giv­est ev­ery day

Than the best can claim

Nor withhold­est aught that may

Glorify Thy name.

If in mer­cy Thou wilt spare

Joys that yet are mine;

If on life

se­rene and fair

Brighter rays may shine;

Let my glad heart

while it sings

Thee in all pro­claim

And

what­e’er the fu­ture brings

Glorify Thy name.

If Thou call­est to the cross

And its sha­dow come

Turning all my gain to loss

Shrouding heart and home;

Let me think how Thy dear Son

To His glo­ry came

And in deep­est woe pray on

Glorify Thy name.