In honor of the Christian feast of Pentecost, which in 2011 was Sunday, June 12
Come, Spirit, come – in Thee I muse;
Come, Spirit, come – in Thee I muse;
Illuminate my heart to choose
The words, the matter, rhythm, rhyme;
To draw men to Thy thoughts sublime.
Come, Spirit, come – O sacred flame,
Purge all that’s hostile to Thy Name,
The thorns and brambles, burn away;
Leave only roses for Thy Day.
Come, Spirit, come – O living stream,
Quench Thou my thirst till, like a dream,
Through desert heart a river flows
To water others as it goes.
Come, Spirit, come – Thou rushing wind,
Whose breath is life – Thy pure gust send
To vivify these dusty words
With the sharp strength of Thine own sword.
Come, Spirit, come – Thy holy song
Sound forth. It is Thy tune I long
To sing to make Thy mercies known.
Minstrel and lay* – be all Thine own.
*tune, melody, or song
