ART THOU WEARY, ART THOU LANGUID?
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you
rest." Matthew 11:28
Words: St. Stephen of Mar Saba (Judea), 8th Century; translated from
Greek to English by John Mason Neale in Hymns for the Eastern Church,
1862. Neale gave it the unusual title "Idiomela, in the Week of the
First Oblique Tone." However, Neale later stated that these lyrics
contained little of the original Greek version.
Music: "Stephanos," Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877).
Art thou weary, art thou languid,
Art thou sore distressed?
"Come to Me," saith One, "and coming,
Be at rest. "
Hath He marks to lead me to Him,
If He be my guide?
In His feet and hands are wound prints
And His side.
Hath He diadem, as monarch,
That His brow adorns?
Yes, a crown in very surety,
But of thorns.
If I find Him, if I follow,
What his guerdon here?
Many a sorrow, many a labor,
Many a tear.
If I still hold closely to Him,
What hath He at last?
Sorrow vanquished, labor ended,
Jordan passed.
If I ask Him to receive me,
Will He say me nay?
Not till earth and not till heaven
Pass away.
Finding, following, keeping, struggling,
Is He sure to bless?
Saints, apostles, prophets, martyrs,
Answer, Yes!