G. F.: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The Visit to the Image of Mary

G. F.

“The Visit to the Image of Mary” as printed in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853).

G. F.: Collected Lyrics Text 2 1853 · historical text
Public domainHymnSacred song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from A First Series of Hymns and Songs, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Come let us here repose, and gaze

On Mary's face awhile;

We wander to and fro all day,

And now we want her smile.

The godless look of things without,

Oh, how it drives us here,

To prize with grateful hearts the bliss

Of finding Mary near!

Verse 2

The very walls we pass each day

Cry out their impious tale;

And blasphemies are heard that make

The stoutest spirit quail.

Oh, leave we, then, the crowded streets,

Their noise and dust and glare;

We've thought and talk'd and sinn'd since morn,

We need a moment's prayer.

Verse 3

A player breath'd forth will calm the soul;

Faith lifts the veil, and we,

Children of Mary, see her star

Shine o'er the restless sea.

We gaze with faith's rejoicing eye

On what seemed dark erewhile;

Then to the world and home we bear

The brightness of her smile.

Credits

Written by G. F.

Words by G. F.. Historical text published in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853), “The Visit to the Image of Mary”

Every text in this 1853 collection is by Henry Formby (1816-1884), who died more than 140 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-26. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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