Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost

Gracious Spir­it

Ho­ly Ghost

Taught by Thee

we co­vet most

Of Thy gifts of Pen­te­cost

Holy

heav’n­ly Love.

Faith

that mount­ains could re­move

Tongues of earth or Heav’n above

Knowledge—all things—emp­ty prove

Without heav’n­ly love.

Though I as a mar­tyr bleed

Give my goods the poor to feed

All is vain—if love I need;

Therefore

give me love.

Love is kind

and suf­fers long

Love is meek

and thinks no wrong

Love than death it­self more strong;

Therefore

give us love.

Prophecy will fade away

Melting in the light of day;

Love will ev­er with us stay;

Therefore

give us love.

Faith will van­ish in­to sight;

Hope be emp­tied in de­light;

Love in Heav’n will shine more bright;

Therefore

give us love.

Faith and hope and love we see

Joining hand in hand agree;

But the great­est of the three

And the best

is love.

From the ov­er­sha­dow­ing

Of Thy gold and sil­ver wing

Shed on us

who to Thee sing

Holy

heav’n­ly love.