Oh, happy house! where Thou art loved the best,
O Lord, so full of love and grace;
Where never comes such welcome, honored Guest;
Where none can ever fill Thy place;
Where every heart goes forth to meet Thee;
Where every ear attends Thy word;
Where every lip with blessing greets Thee;
Where all are waiting on their Lord.
Oh, happy house! where man and wife in heart,
In faith, and love, and hope are one;
Where Christ the center is, not just a part
Of holy union here begun;
Where both are sharing one salvation,
And live before Thee, Lord, always,
In gladness or in tribulation,
In happy or in evil days.
Oh, happy house! whose little ones are given
Early to Thee in faith and prayer —
To Thee, their Lord, who from the heights of heaven
Guards them with more than mother’s care;
Oh, happy house! where little voices
Their glad thanksgivings love to raise,
And childhood’s lisping tongue rejoices
To bring new songs of love and praise.
Oh, happy house! where Thou art not forgot
When joy is flowing full and free;
Oh, happy house! where every wound is brought
Physician, Comforter — to Thee;
Until at last, earth’s day’s work ended,
All meet Thee in that home above,
From whence Thou came; art now ascended —
Thy heaven of glory and of love!
Spitta, adapted from a German poem