Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OUR CHILDREN, by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OUR CHILDREN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Standing forth on life's rough way


Standing forth on life's rough way,
Father, guide them;
O, we know not what ere long
May betide them!
'Neath the shadow of thy wing,
Father, hide them;
Waking, sleeping, Lord, we pray,
Go beside them.


Chorus:
Bless them now!
Bless them now!
Bless the children whom we love;
Bless them now!
Bless them now!
Lead them to thyself above.


When in prayer they cry to thee,
Thou wilt hear them;
From the stains of sin and shame
Thou wilt clear them;
'Mid the quicksands and the rocks,
Thou wilt steer them;
In temptation, trial, grief,
Be Thou near them.
[Chorus]


Unto Thee we give them up;
Lord, receive them;
In the world we know must be
Much to grieve them;
Many striving oft and strong
To deceive them;
Trustful, in thy hands of love
We must leave them.
[Chorus]








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