Beauty for Ashes
Authors: J.G. Crabbe • Composers: J.G. Crabbe • Meter: 9.7.9.7.9.8.9.7. with refrain • Language: English • Formats: lyrics, png • Copyright: Free PNG, Public Domain • Years: 1889
Score (png): http://www.freehymnal.com/png/beautyforashes1.png, http://www.freehymnal.com/png/beautyforashes2.png.
1. I sing the love of God, my Father,
Whose Spirit abides within,
Who changes all my grief to gladness,
And pardons my ev’ry sin.
Tho’ clouds may lower, dark and dreary,
Yet he has promised to be near;
He gives me sunshine for my shadow,
And “beauty for ashes,” here.
Chorus:
He gives me joy (He gives me joy) in place of sorrow (in place of care);
He gives me love (He gives me love) that casts out fear (that casts out fear);
He gives me sunshine for my shadow,
And “beauty for ashes,” here.
2. I sing the love of Christ, my Savior,
Who suffered upon the tree,
That in the secret of his presence,
My bondage might freedom be.
He comes “to bind the broken-hearted;”
He comes the fainting soul to cheer;
He gives me “oil of joy” for mourning,
And “beauty for ashes,” here.
3. I sing the beauty of the Gospel
That scatters not thorns, but flow’rs,
That bids me scatter smiles and sunbeams
Wherever are lonely hours.
The “garment of his praise” it offers
For “heaviness of spirit,” drear;
It gives me sunshine for my shadow,
And “beauty for ashes,” here.