Bird So Blithe

1 O bird so blithe, O bird so blithe,
How firm thy trust abideth!
Thou sowest not, thou reapest not,
And hoarded grain thou heapest not;
Yet bird so blithe, O bird so blithe,
God for thy wants provideth.

2 O lily fair, O lily fair,
How sweet thy beauty’s story!
Thou toilest not, thou spinnest not,
And earthly honors winnest not;
Yet lily fair, O lily fair,
Thou art arrayed in glory.

3 O childhood bright, O childhood bright,
How sweet the joy thou bringest,
When, trustful as the bird in air,
And simple as the lily fair,
O childhood bright, O childhood bright,
Thy happy song thou singest!

4 O bird in air, O bird in air,
Think not of coming sorrow,
The Father dear who loveth all,
Doth bear thy wing, doth watch thy fall;
So bird in air, O bird in air,
Still leave to him the morrow.

5 O lily frail, O lily frail,
How soon thy glory waneth!
Up-springing with the morning glow,
At evening’s breath thou liest low;
Yet lily frail, O lily frail,
Thy fragrance still remaineth.

6 O childhood brief, O childhood brief,
Tho’ swift thy days pass by us,
May thy firm trust, thy simple grace,
Be aye our strength in manhood’s race;
Then, childhood brief, O childhood brief,
Thy joy shall still be nigh us.

Source: The Service of Praise #33

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #13727
  
• MIDI file from The Service of Praise #33