Bleak winter is subdued at length

The words

1. 1

   Stanza 1. Bleak winter is subdued at length,And forced to yield the day;The sun has waited all his strength,And driven him away.

2. 2

   Stanza 2. And now long wished for spring is come,How altered is the scene!The trees and shrubs are dressed in bloom,The earth arrayed in green.

3. 3

   Stanza 3. Where’er we tread, beneath our feetThe clust’ring flowers spring;The artless birds, in concert sweet,Invite our hearts to sing.

4. 4

   Stanza 4. But ah! in vain I strive to join,Oppressed with sin and doubt;I feet ’tis winter still, within,Though all is spring without.

5. 5

   Stanza 5. O! would my Savior from on high,Break through these clouds and shine!No creature then, more blest than I,No song more loud than mine.

6. 6

   Stanza 6. Till then—no softly warbling thrush,Nor cowslip’s sweet perfume;Nor beauties of each painted bush,Can dissipate my gloom.

7. 7

   Stanza 7. To Adam, soon as he transgressed,Thus Eden bloomed in vain;Not paradise could give him rest,Or soothe his heart–felt pain.

8. 8

   Stanza 8. Yet here an emblem I perceiveOf what the LORD can do;Dear Savior, help me to believeThat I may flourish too.

9. 9

   Stanza 9. Thy word can soon my hopes revive,Can overcome my foes;And make my languid graces thrive,And blossom like the rose.

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 2, Hymn 32. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/2-32