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

The Voice of the Flowers

Sister M. J.

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

Sister M. J.: Collected Lyrics Text 10 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

Dear Lord, who in thy love so great

Didst frame this world of ours,

And its fair robe of green create,

All bright with blooming flowers:

By thy sweet will, o'er hill and dale,

Each plant and leafy tree

Are bearers of a welcome tale,

That speaks to us of thee.

Verse 2

The little snowdrop's hardy birth

Amid the winter's snow,

Thine infant days on this rude earth

In Bethl'hem's cave doth shew.

In the fair lily's spotless white

Thy virgin life we see;

Oh, make it, Lord, our fond delight

Thus to resemble thee.

Verse 3

As day by day the budding rose

Unveils its blushing hue,

So doth thy tender love disclose

A beauty ever new.

And e'en the violet of the dell

Has its own word of thee,

Delighting evermore to tell

Of thy humility.

Verse 4

Thus not a plant that scents the gale,

Or blossom on the tree,

But tells its own instructive tale,

O loving Lord, of thee.

Nor these alone, but all we see

Around us and above

Extol thy grace and majesty,

And speak thy boundless love.

Credits

Written by Sister M. J.

Words by Sister M. J.. 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 Voice of the Flowers”

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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