A Little While (Crewdson)

Oh

for the peace that flow­eth as a riv­er

Making life’s de­sert plac­es bloom and smile;

Oh

for the faith to grasp Heav’n’s bright for­ev­er

Amid the sha­dows of earth’s lit­tle while.

A lit­tle while for pa­tient vi­gil keep­ing

To face the storm and wres­tle with the strong;

A lit­tle while to sow the seed with weep­ing

Then bind the sheaves and sing the har­vest song.

A lit­tle while the earth­en pit­cher tak­ing

To way­side brooks

from far off fount­ains fed;

Then the parch­ed lip its thirst for­ev­er slak­ing

Beside the full­ness of the Fount­ain­head.

A lit­tle while to keep the oil from fail­ing

A lit­tle while faith’s flick­er­ing lamp to trim;

And then the Bride­groom’s com­ing foot­steps hail­ing

We’ll haste to meet Him with the brid­al hymn.