Helen Maria Williams: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The Thrush

Helen Maria Williams

“The Thrush” as printed in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853).

Helen Maria Williams: 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

How void of care yon merry Thrush,

That sings melodious in the bush;

That has no stores of wealth to keep,

No lands to plough, no corn to reap!

Verse 2

He never frets for worthless things,

But lives in peace, and sweetly sings;

Enjoys the present with his mate,

Unmindful of to-morrow's fate.

Verse 3

Rejoiced he finds his morning fare,

His dinner lies—he knows not where;

Still to the unfailing hand he chants

His grateful song, and never wants.

Verse 4

Of true felicity possess'd,

He glides through life supremely blest;

And for his daily meal relies

On Him whose love the world supplies.

Credits

Written by Helen Maria Williams

Words by Helen Maria Williams. 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 Thrush”

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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