Father, thy paternal care
Hath my guardian been, my guide!
Every hallowed wish and prayer
Hath thy hand of love supplied:
Thine is every thought of bliss
Left by hours and days gone by;
Every hope thine offspring is,
Beaming from futurity.

Every sun of splendid ray,
Every moon that shines serene,
Every morn that welcomes day,
Every evening's twilight scene;
Every hour which wisdom brings,
Every incense at thy shrine, —
These, and all life's holiest things,
And its fairest, all are thine.

And for all, my hymns shall rise
Daily to thy gracious throne;
Thither let my asking eyes
Turn unwearied, Righteous One!
Through life's strange vicissitude
There reposing all my care;
Trusting still, through ill and good,
Fixed, and cheered, and counselled there.