1 O Jesu, thou art standing
outside the fast-closed door,
in lowly patience waiting
to pass the threshold o'er:
shame on us, Christian brethren,
his name and sign who bear,
oh shame, thrice shame upon us
to keep him standing there!

2 O Jesu, thou art knocking;
and lo! That hand is scarred,
and thorns thy brow encircle,
and tears thy face have marred:
O love that passeth knowledge,
so patiently to wait!
O sin that hath no equal
so fast to bar the gate!

3 O Jesu, thou art pleading
in accents meek and low,
'I died for you, my children,
and will ye treat me so?'
O Lord, with shame and sorrow
we open now the door:
dear Saviour, enter, enter,
and leave us never more!