11420. Sweet Prayer

1 When torn is the bosom by sorrow or care,
Be it ever so simple, there’s nothing like prayer;
It eases, soothes, softens, subdues, yet sustains,
Gives vigor to hope, and puts passion in chains.

Refrain:
Prayer, prayer, sweet, sweet prayer,
Be it ever so simple,
There’s nothing like prayer.

2 When far from the friends we hold dearest to part,
What fond recollections still cling to my heart,
Past scenes and past converse, enjoyments are there,
How hurtfully pleasing till hallowed by prayer. [Refrain]

3 When pleasure would woo us from piety’s arms,
The siren sings sweetly, or silently charms,
We listen, love, loiter, are caught in the snare,
On looking to Jesus we conquer by prayer. [Refrain]

4 While strangers to prayer we are strangers to bliss,
Heaven pours its full streams through no medium but this;
And till we the seraphim’s ecstasy share,
Our chalice of joy must be guarded by prayer. [Refrain]

Text Information
First Line: When torn is the bosom by sorrow or care
Title: Sweet Prayer
Author: Ann Lutton Chadwick (1840, alt.)
Refrain First Line: Prayer, prayer, sweet, sweet prayer
Language: English
Source: The Harp by Hiram May (Perry, NY: American Citizen Office, 1840), alt.
Copyright: Public Domain
Notes: This source gives the author as Ann Lutton, Chadwick's maiden name
Tune Information
Name: [When torn is the bosom by sorrow or care]
Composer: Rigdon McCoy McIntosh (1883)
Key: E Major
Source: Prayer and Praise by Atticus G. Haygood and Rigdon M. McIntosh (Nashville: J. W. Burke, 1883)
Copyright: Public Domain
Notes: This source shows the composer as Emillious Laroche, MacIntosh's pseudonym



Media
Adobe Acrobat image: PDF
MIDI file: Midi
Noteworthy Composer score: Noteworthy Composer Score

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