Scripture Verse

Give ear unto my voice when I cry unto Thee. Psalm 141:1

Introduction

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Gregory I
540–604

Words: At­trib­ut­ed to Greg­ory I, 6th Cen­tu­ry (Au­di, Be­nig­ne Con­di­tor). Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by Drum­mond, 1619. Ap­peared in Hymns Writ­ten and Adapt­ed to the Week­ly Ser­vice of the Church Year, by Re­gi­nald He­ber (Lon­don: J. Mur­ray, 1827), pag­es 50–51.

Music: Llef Grif­fith H. Jones, in Ga­mau Mawl, by Da­vid Jen­kins, 1890 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a bet­ter pho­to of Jones,

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Griffith H. Jones (1849–1919)

Lyrics

Oh merciful Creator! Hear
Our prayer, to Thee devoutly bent,
Which we pour forth with many a tear
In this Thy holy fast of Lent!

Thou mildest searcher of the heart,
Who know’st the weakness of our strength,
To us forgiving grace impart,
That we may seek Thy face at length.

We all have sinned, we own our shame,
But spare us who our sins confess,
And for the glo­ry of Thy name,
To our sick souls afford redress.

Grant that the flesh may be so pined,
By means of outward abstinence,
As that the sober watchful mind
May fast from spots of foul offense!

Grant this, O blessèd Trinity!
Pure Son of God! to this incline.
That of our fast the fruit may be
A grateful recompense for Thine!