Forsaken Once, and Thrice Denied

Forsaken once

and thrice de­nied

The ris­en Lord gave par­don free

Stood once again at Pe­ter’s side

And asked him

Lov’st thou Me?

How ma­ny times with faith­less word

Have we de­nied His ho­ly name

How oft for­sak­en our dear Lord

And shrunk when tri­al came?

Saint Peter

when the cock crew clear

Went out

and wept his brok­en faith;

Strong as a rock through strife and fear

He served his Lord till death.

How oft his cow­ard­ice of heart

We have with­out his love sin­cere

The sin with­out the sor­row’s smart

The shame with­out the tear!

O oft for­sak­en

oft de­nied

Forgive our shame

wash out our sin;

Look on us from Thy Fa­ther’s side

And let that sweet look win.

Hear when we call Thee from the deep

Still walk be­side us on the shore

Give hands to work

and eyes to weep

And hearts to love Thee more.