How tedious and tasteless the hours

1
How tedious and tasteless the hours
When Jesus no longer I see!
Sweet prospects, sweet birds and sweet flow’rs,
Have all lost their sweetness to me.
The midsummer sun shines but dim,
The fields strive in vain to look gay;
But when I am happy in Him
December’s as pleasant as May.
2
His name yields the richest perfume,
And sweeter than music His voice;
His presence disperses my gloom,
And makes all within me rejoice.
I should, were He always thus nigh,
Have nothing to wish or to fear;
No mortal so happy as I;
My summer would last all the year.
3
Content with beholding His face,
My all to His pleasure resigned;
No changes of season or place,
Would make any change in my mind.
While blessed with a sense of His love,
A palace a toy would appear;
And prisons would palaces prove,
If Jesus would dwell with me there.
4
My Lord, if indeed I am Thine,
If Thou art my sun and my song,
Say, why do I languish and pine?
And why are my winters so long?
Oh, drive these dark clouds from the sky,
Thy soul-cheering presence restore;
Or take me to Thee up on high,
Where winter and clouds are no more.
29
K.Parton

Sevierville, TN, United States

I’m 66. And never heard this beautiful song before tonight. God sent it my way.


Oladimeji Idowu

Mafikeng, Northwest Territories

At the airport waiting the arrival of my boss and a lot of uncertainties lie ahead. Then my head dozing away was awakened by the lyrics.

Lord I believe, You have done it before and will do it Again.


Justin Carey

Olmsted Twp., Ohio, United States

My grandparents were from Millstone, KY and Old Regular Baptists. I would pick bluegrass with my Papaw a couple nights a week and my sweet Mamaw would stop us sometimes and ask me to sing this beautiful hymn. She’s now in Heaven with our Lord and my Papaw and probably singing this song every day! I can’t wait to sing it with her again and praise Jesus forevermore.


Janice Cruce

Tallahassee, FL, United States

Yesterday I walked where no one could hear me sing and I was thinking about my daddy and a song he often sang. I know I never sang it in church. It was so sweet to think of him, his life, and how he loved this song, so I sang it, too. He must have sung this as a boy in church. I often forget he was in WW 2, separated for a while from those he loved. As I reflected on my life... that last sentence is so true for me, too. Thank you, Daddy Abe!


Dan Castleberry

Robins, IA, United States

This song was a favorite song in the lives of my people in Kentucky. I have remembered it along my 83 years trek of life. I recently held my darling wife of 65 yrs as she went to be with HIM. I now know the meaning of every word in this greet old worship song of His people. I long to follow her. and join the endless joy of an eternity in HIS home town of sinless perfection.


Ronald Ashley

Ocala, Florida, United States

When I was a young lad about 14 years old I learnt this song from my dear mother who is now sleeping and awaiting the call of our blessed Redeemer when He shall return to take us heaven with Him. Growing up in the Caribbean my dear mother was a seamstress and I vividly remembered on a Saturday night after church (because we are Seventh Day Adventist we believed that Jesus Christ is coming soon and also believe that God’s 10 commandments are still binding on His people). So after church was over we would go home and after she made a snack she would get to her sewing. There, she’d sing some of these old songs that still resonate with me for more than forty years.


Elaine Chase

Temple Hills, MD, United States

I woke up this morning with this beautiful hymn on my mind. Even during my morning bible reading, I had to pause and find the words of this hymn to read and sing. What a mighty God. Thank You, Jesus. Now back to the Holy Bible study.


Pauletta Snyder Innocent

Snellville, Atlanta Georgia, United States

I woke up this morning with this song on my mind and I started singing it while taking my shower. I learnt this song many years ago as a child and I've loved it since.

Lord, for whatever reason this song came mine, may Your love see me through.


Hatchett

Praise the Lord. I luv this song.


Leah

Cambridge City, IN, United States

We found a handwritten copy of this song in 4 torn parts and had it recently mounted with acid-free glass, etc. at our History Room at the Cambridge City Indiana Library. It said the thing was written in 1824.