The Cyber Hymnal ‎#13172

13172. The World Was Dark With Care And Woe

1 The world was dark with care and woe,
With brawl and pleasure wild,
When in the midst, His love to show,
God set a child.

2 The sages frowned, their beards they shook,
For pride their heart beguiled;
They said, each looking on his book,
"We want no child."

3 The merchants turned towards their scales,
Around their wealth lay piled;
Said they, "’Tis gold alone prevails;
We want no child."

4 The soldiers rose in noisy sport,
Disdainfully they smiled,
And said, "Can babes the shield support?
We want no child."

5 The merry sinners laughed or blushed,
Alas, and some reviled;
All cried, as to the dance they rushed,
"We want no child."

6 The old, th’afflicted, and the poor,
With voices harsh or mild,
Said, "Hope to us returns no more;
We want no child."

7 And men of grave and moral word,
With consciences defiled,
Said, "Let the old truth still be heard;
We want no child."

8 Then said the Lord, “O world of care
So blinded and beguiled,
Thou must become for thy repair
A holy child.

9 "And unto thee a Son is born,
Thy second hope has smiled;
Thou mayst, though sin and trouble worn,
Be made a child."

Text Information

• First Line: The world was dark with care and woe
• Title: The World Was Dark With Care And Woe
• Author: Thomas T. Lynch
• Meter: 86.84
• Language: English
• Source: The Rivulet (London: Longman, 1855)
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: ROTHLEY
• Composer: John Goss (1872)
• Meter: 86.84
• Key: A♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain