Field Stone Cottage Blog

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

O Happy Home

Here's a hymn which I've never sung, never even heard (except for the midi file) but I love the sentiments expressed in it. And it fits Rebecca's September theme of home!

O happy home, where thou art loved the dearest,
Thou loving Friend and Saviour of our race,
And where among the guests there never cometh
One who can hold such high and honored place!

O happy home, where two in heart united
In holy faith and blessed hope are one,
Whom death a little while alone divideth,
And cannot end the union here begun!

O happy home, whose little ones are given
Early to thee in humble faith and prayer,
To thee, their friend, who from the heights of heaven
Guides them, and guards with more than mother's care!

O happy home, where each one serves thee, lowly,
Whatever his appointed work may be,
Till ev'ry common task seems great and holy,
When it is done, O Lord, as unto thee!

O happy home, where thou art not forgotten
When joy is overflowing, full and free,
O happy home, where ev'ry wounded spirit
Is brought, Physician, Comforter, to thee,—

Until at last, when earth's day's work is ended,
All meet thee in the blessed home above,
From whence thou camest, where thou hast ascended,
Thine everlasting home of peace and love.

Carl J. P. Spitta, 1826
Tune: Welwyn, Alfred Scott-Gatty, 1902

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dorothy - this is quite a popular hymn over here for weddings though we sing it to the tune

"O perfect Love" - I think it's a good tune for it!

Dorothy said...

Oh, I am glad to know this one is popular somewhere. And it seems so appropriate for weddings! I'd love to hear it used in that setting over here.

ellen b. said...

Good morning Dorothy. Those are great words! I don't think I've ever heard it, either. I posted a hymn/song too about home today. :0)

Anonymous said...

Hi Dorothy, I like the hymn too, we sung it at our first daughter's funeral - verse three seemed appropriate.

Dorothy said...

Hello, Ann: I did not think of this hymn in the context of a funeral but I can see how it fits there too. As you said, especially verse three.

And I had no idea that you had lost a daughter. I am so very sorry.

Anonymous said...

This hymn is new to me too, and the words are so lovely. Thank you.