The Bower of Prayer

Lyrics

To leave my dear friends, and with neighbors to part,
And go from my home it afflicts not my heart,
Like thoughts of absenting myself for a day
From the bless’d retreat, where I’ve chosen to pray.

Dear bow’r, where the pine and the poplar have spread,
And wove with their branches a roof o’er my head;
How oft have I knelt on the evergreen there,
And pour’d out my soul to my Savior in prayer.

The early shrill notes of the loved nightingale,
That dwelt in my bow’r I observed as my bell,
To call me to duty, while birds of the air
Sang anthems of praises as I went to prayer.

How sweet were the zephyrs perfumed by the pine,
The ivy, the balsam, and wild eglantine;
But sweeter, ah! sweeter, superlative were
The joys I have tasted in answer to prayer.

For Jesus, my Savior, oft deign’d there to meet
And bless’d with His presence my humble retreat;
Oft fill’d me with rapture and blessedness there
Indicting, in heaven’s own language, my prayer.

Dear bow’r, I must leave you and bid you adieu,
And pay my devotion in parts that are new;
For Jesus, my Savior, resides everywhere,
And can in all places give answer to prayer.