Hymns for the Amusement of Children

Arise, Arise, the Lord arose
On this triumphant day, the Lord arose
On this triumphant day; Arise, Arise!

Your souls to piety dispose,
Arise to bless and pray.
Arise, Arise, Arise!

Ev'n rustics do adorn them now,
Themselves in roses dress;
And to the clergyman they bow,
When he begins to bless.

Their best apparel now arrays
The little girls and boys;
And better than the preacher prays
For heav'ns eternal joys.

Now I arise, empow'r'd by Thee,
The glorious Sun to face;
O clothe me with humility,
Adorn me with thy grace.

All evil of the day fore-send,
Prevent the tempter's snare;
Thine angel on my steps attend,
And give me fruit to pray'r.

O make me useful as I go
My pilgrimage along;
And sweetly soothe this vale of woe,
By charity and song.

Let me from Christ obedience learn,
To Christ obedience pay;
Each parent duteous love return,
And consecrate the day.

A raven once an Acorn took
From Bashan's tallest stoutest tree;
He hid it by a limpid brook,
And liv'd another oak to see.

Thus Melancholy buries Hope,
Which Providence still keeps alive,
And bids us with afflictions cope,
And all anxiety survive.

Now's the time for mirth and play,
Saturday's an holiday;
Praise to heav'n unceasing yield,
I've found a lark's nest in the field.
A lark's nest, then your playmate begs
You'd spare herself and speckled eggs;
Soon she shall ascend and sing
Your praises to th'eternal King.

These cloaths, of which I now divest
Myself, ALL SEEING EYE,
Must be one day, that day be blest
Relinquish'd and laid by.

Thou cordial sleep, to death akin,
I court thee on my knee;
O let me exit, free from sin,
Be little more than Thee.

But if much agonizing pain
My dying hour await,
The Lord be with me to sustain,
To help and to abate.

O let me meet Thee undeterr'd
By no foul stains defil'd!
According to thy holy word,
Receive me as a Child.

Fear God, obey His just decrees,
And do it hand, and heart, and knees;
For after all our utmost care
There's nought like penitence and pray'r.

Then weigh the balance in your mind,
Look foward, not one glance behind;
Let no foul fiend retard your pace,
Hosanah! Thou hast won the race.