Love one another as I have loved you.
John 13:34
Words: R. F. Fuller, in The Prize, by George Root (Chicago, Illinois: Root & Cady, 1870), page 45.
Music: Olsztyn George F. Root, 1870 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know Fuller’s full name, or where to get a good photo of him (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
I want to be an angel,
Before I mount above,
An angel in my spirit
And influence of love.
Beneath my every footstep
I want the flowers to spring,
In deeds of loving kindness,
And good for everything.
I want to span my forehead
A bow of promise bright,
That every cloud of sorrow
May kindle into light.
Above the earth, but in it,
I want my ways to wend,
To keep myself unspotted,
And help to others lend.
I want to love like angels,
And be beloved again,
And bring the boons of Heaven
To bless my fellow men.
God’s love, in all my measure,
To give again I want.
A heartful, heavenly Father,
For my religion grant.