Song : A Poor Wayfaring Man Of Grief
Album : Hymns Of The Church Of Jesus Christ
Category : Latter Day Saints
Songwriter (s) :
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Scripture Reference(s) :
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A Poor Wayfaring Man Of Grief
Hath Often Crossed Me On My Way,
Who Sued So Humbly For Relief
That I Could Never Answer Nay.
I Had Not Power To Ask His Name,
Whereto He Went, Or Whence He Came;
Yet There Was Something In His Eye
That Won My Love; I Knew Not Why.
Once, When My Scanty Meal Was Spread,
He Entered; Not A Word He Spake,
Just Perishing For Want Of Bread.
I Gave Him All; He Blessed It, Brake,
And Ate, But Gave Me Part Again.
Mine Was An Angel’s Portion Then,
For While I Fed With Eager Haste,
The Crust Was Manna To My Taste.
I Spied Him Where A Fountain Burst
Clear From The Rock; His Strength Was Gone.
The Heedless Water Mocked His Thirst;
He Heard It, Saw It Hurrying On.
I Ran And Raised The Sufferer Up;
Thrice From The Stream He Drained My Cup,
Dipped And Returned It Running O’er;
I Drank And Never Thirsted More.
’Twas Night; The Floods Were Out; It Blew
A Winter Hurricane Aloof.
I Heard His Voice Abroad And Flew
To Bid Him Welcome To My Roof.
I Warmed And Clothed And Cheered My Guest
And Laid Him On My Couch To Rest,
Then Made The Earth My Bed And Seemed
In Eden’s Garden While I Dreamed.
Stript, Wounded, Beaten Nigh To Death,
I Found Him By The Highway Side.
I Roused His Pulse, Brought Back His Breath,
Revived His Spirit, And Supplied
Wine, Oil, Refreshment—He Was Healed.
I Had Myself A Wound Concealed,
But From That Hour Forgot The Smart,
And Peace Bound Up My Broken Heart.
In Prison I Saw Him Next, Condemned
To Meet A Traitor’s Doom At Morn.
The Tide Of Lying Tongues I Stemmed,
And Honored Him ’Mid Shame And Scorn.
My Friendship’s Utmost Zeal To Try,
He Asked If I For Him Would Die.
The Flesh Was Weak; My Blood Ran Chill,
But My Free Spirit Cried, “I Will!”
Then In A Moment To My View
The Stranger Started From Disguise.
The Tokens In His Hands I Knew;
The Savior Stood Before Mine Eyes.
He Spake, And My Poor Name He Named,
“Of Me Thou Hast Not Been Ashamed.
These Deeds Shall Thy Memorial Be;
Fear Not, Thou Didst Them Unto Me.”
