Scripture Verse

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith? Luke 12:27–28

Introduction

Words: J. A. Col­li­er, in The Gold­en Cen­ser, by Will­iam B. Brad­bu­ry (New York: Will­iam B. Brad­bu­ry, and Ivi­son, Phin­ney, Blake­man & Com­pa­ny, 1864), page 114.

Music: Will­iam B. Brad­bury (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Col­li­er’s full name, or where to get a good pic­ture of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
William B. Bradbury (1816–1868)

Lyrics

Hark, the lilies whisper
Tenderly and low,
In our grace and beauty
See how fair we grow
;
Thus our heav’nly Fa­ther
Cares for all below.
The lilies of the field,
The beau­ti­ful lilies of the field,

Refrain

Your Fa­ther cares for them,
And shall He not care for you?

Hark, the roses speaking,
Telling all abroad
Their sweet, wondrous story,
Of the love of God,
In the Rose of Sharon,
Jesus Christ the Lord.
The roses, how they bloom!
The beau­ti­ful roses, how they bloom!

Refrain

Buttercups and daisies,
And the violets sweet,
Flowers of field and garden—
All their voices meet;
And their Maker’s praises
To our souls repeat.
They sing their Maker’s praise,
The beau­ti­ful flowers, how they sing!

Refrain

Let us, then, be trustful,
Doubting not, although
Much of toil and trouble
Be our lot below.
Think upon the lilies,
See how fair they grow.
The lilies of the field,
The beau­ti­ful lilies of the field;

Refrain