Gracious Spi­rit, Ho­ly Ghost,
Taught by Thee, we co­vet most
Of Thy gifts of Pen­te­cost,
Holy, heav’n­ly Love.

Faith, that mount­ains could re­move,
Tongues of earth or Heav’n above,
Knowledge—all things—emp­ty prove,
Without heav’n­ly love.

Though I as a mar­tyr bleed,
Give my goods the poor to feed,
All is vain—if love I need;
Therefore, give me love.

Love is kind, and suf­fers long,
Love is meek, and thinks no wrong,
Love than death it­self more strong;
Therefore, give us love.

Prophecy will fade away,
Melting in the light of day;
Love will ev­er with us stay;
Therefore, give us love.

Faith will van­ish into sight;
Hope be emp­tied in de­light;
Love in Heav’n will shine more bright;
Therefore, give us love.

Faith and hope and love we see
Joining hand in hand agree;
But the great­est of the three,
And the best, is love.

From the ov­er­sha­dow­ing
Of Thy gold and sil­ver wing
Shed on us, who to Thee sing,
Holy, heav’n­ly love.