If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.
Psalm 137:5–6
Words: Henry F. Lyte, Spirit of the Psalms 1834.
Music: St. Bride Samuel Howard, 1762 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good picture of Howard (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Far from my heav’nly home,
Far from my Father’s breast,
Fainting I cry, Blest Spirit, come
And speed me to my rest.
Upon the willows long
My harp has silent hung;
How should I sing a cheerful song
Till Thou inspire my tongue?
My spirit homeward turns,
And fain would thither flee;
My heart, O Zion, droops and yearns,
When I remember thee.
To thee, to thee I press,
A dark and toilsome road;
When shall I pass the wilderness,
And reach the saint’s abode?
God of my life, be near!
On Thee my hopes I cast:
O, guide me through the desert here,
And bring me home at last!