Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.
Exodus 20:10
Words: I. N. Kieffer, in The Pearl, by J. M. Kieffer (Cleveland, Ohio: S. Brainard & Sons, 1871), number 13.
Music: Welcome Sabbath Morning I. N. Kieffer (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know Kieffer’s full name, or where to get a good photo of him (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Welcome, welcome, Sabbath morning!
We’ve no task, nor toil today;
And the Sabbath morn returning,
Tells a week has passed away.
Refrain
Welcome, welcome, quiet morning!
We’ve no task nor toil today;
And the Sabbath morn returning,
Tells a week has passed away.
Let us think how time is gliding,
Soon the longest life departs;
Nothing human is abiding,
To the trust of youthful hearts.
Refrain
Swift our childhood’s dreams are passing,
Like the startled doves they fly;
Or bright clouds in fleetest chasing,
Out on yonder quiet sky.
Refrain
Now, dear Lord, our prayer we raise Thee,
From our young and happy hearts;
Never let us cease to praise Thee;
Never from Thy fear depart.
Refrain
Then when years have gathered o’er us,
And the world begins to fade;
Heaven’s bright realms will rise before us,
Treasures that will never fade.
Refrain