Jesu, the very thought of Thee

This is my 17th entry in the Lenten Hymn-of-the-Day project.

This wonderful music is by Gordon Slater (1896-1979), organist of Lincoln Cathedral, and before that of St. Botolph's Church, Boston, Lincolnshire - hence the name of the tune, "St. Botolph". The beautiful and heartfelt words are translated from the Latin by Edward Caswall (1814-1878)

One FULL VERSE for the INTRODUCTION.

Jesu, the very thought of thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far thy face to see,
And in thy presence rest.

Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find,
A sweeter sound that makes tehy blest name,
O Saviour of mankind!

O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind thou art!
How good to those who seek!

But what to those who find? Ah, this
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus, what it is
None but the loved ones know.

Jesu, our only joy be thou,
As thou our prize wilt be;
Jesu, be thou our glory now,
And through eternity.