Scripture Verse

Yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. Psalm 68:13

Introduction

portrait
Jairus M. Stillman
1834–1917

Words: Lu­el­la F. Cole, in Good Will, by T. Mar­tin Towne & Jai­rus M. Stillman (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Flem­ing H. Re­vell, 1878).

Music: Jai­rus M. Still­man (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Cole (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Yet shall ye be as a dove’s shining wings,
Covered with silver and gold;
Gracious assurance the Word ever brings,
Promise of beauty untold.

Refrain

Shine on us, Savior, oh, shed forth Thy love;
Make us as white as the wings of a dove;
Shine on us, Savior, oh, shed forth Thy love;
Make us as white as the wings of a dove.

What tho’ our tent-homes are covered with dust,
While thro’ life’s desert we move;
Time cometh when they shall flutter, we trust,
White as the wings of a dove.

Refrain

What tho’ our garments like leprosy cling,
Robes of self-righteousness wove;
Praises to Jesus! for yet we may sing,
Clad as the wings of a dove.

Refrain

What tho’ we lie ’midst the filth of the earth,
Or as a prodigal rove;
We may come up from the Spirit’s new birth,
Clean as the wings of a dove.

Refrain

What tho’ for years we have wandered in sin,
And ’gainst the Good Spirit strove;
Thro’ Heaven’s portals we yet may go in,
Pure as the wings of a dove.

Refrain