1 Once more the constant sun,
Revolving round his sphere,
His steady course has run,
And brings another year:
He rises, sets, but goes not back,
Nor ever quits his destined track.
2 Hence let believers learn
To keep a forward pace;
Be this our main concern,
To finish well our race.
Backslidings shun, with patience press
Towards the Sun of Righteousness.
3 What now shall be our task?
Or rather what our prayer?
What good thing shall we ask
To prosper this New Year?
With one accord our hearts we’ll lift
And ask our Lord some New Year’s gift.
4 No trifling gift or small
Should friends of Christ desire;
Rich Lord, bestow on all
Pure gold, well tried by fire;
Faith that stands fast when devils roar,
And love which lasts for evermore!