I Love to Steal Awhile Away

I love to steal awhile away

From ev­ery cum­ber­ing care

And spend the hours of clos­ing day

In hum­ble

grate­ful

pray­er.

I love in so­li­tude to shed

The pe­ni­ten­tial tear

And all His pro­mis­es to plead

Where none but God can hear.

I love to think on mer­cies past

And fu­ture good im­plore

And all my cares and sor­rows cast

On Him whom I ado­re.

I love by faith to take a view

Of bright­er scenes in Heav’n;

The pros­pect doth my strength re­new

While here by tem­pests driv’n.

Thus

when life’s toil­some day is o’er

May its de­part­ing ray

Be calm at this im­press­ive hour

And lead to end­less day.