Sister M. J.: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

If e'er my heart in riper years

Sister M. J.

“If e'er my heart in riper years” as printed in Catholic Hymns (1860) (1860).

Sister M. J.: Collected Lyrics Text 2 1860 · historical text
Public domainHymnSacred song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from Catholic Hymns (1860), a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

If e'er my heart in riper years

Shall beat with anguish, grief, or fears,

My Jesus He will hear each moan,

And gently say, "Thou'rt not alone."

Verse 2

Though fled were every earthly friend

On whom I might or could depend

Verse 3

Though left by all, to all unknown,

He still will say, "Thou'rt not alone."

Verse 4

Though cherish'd ones around me die,

And sever'd be each earthly tie;

I still may seek my Saviour's throne,

And hear Him say, "Thou'rt not alone."

Verse 5

So too, when all my years are past,

And life her race hath run at last,

My God, Thou wilt not me disown,

To whom Thou saidst, "Thou'rt not alone."

Credits

Written by Sister M. J.

Words by Sister M. J.. Historical text published in Catholic Hymns (1860) (1860); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

Catholic Hymns (1860) (1860), “If e'er my heart in riper years”

The 1860 published edition is in the public domain in the United States (pre-1931 publication). Entries whose credited author died more than 70 years ago are also in the public domain in life-plus-70 jurisdictions; other entries are held.

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 2026-10-25. 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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