Eng:409  Chin:-  Kor:-  Span:-  Tag:-  Fra:-  Por:- 

Lyrics:W. G. Smith
Music:F. H. Byshe
Meter:8.8.8.8.D

This hymn has a unique tune

 

 1  One thing I of the Lord desire,

    For all my path hath miry been:

    Be it by water or by fire,

    Oh, make me clean, oh, make me clean!

 

So wash me, Thou, without, within,

Or purge with fire, if that must be;

No matter how, if only sin

Die out in me, die out in me.

 

 2  I watch to shun the miry way,

    And staunch the springs of guilty thought;

    But, watch and struggle as I may,

    Pure I am not, pure I am not.

 

So wash me, Thou, without, within,

Or purge with fire, if that must be;

No matter how, if only sin

Die out in me, die out in me.

 

 3  If clearer vision Thou impart,

    Grateful and glad my soul shall be,

    But yet to have a purer heart

    Is more to me, is more to me.

 

So wash me, Thou, without, within,

Or purge with fire, if that must be;

No matter how, if only sin

Die out in me, die out in me.

 

 4  Yea, only as this heart is clean

    May larger vision yet be mine,

    For mirrored in the depths are seen

    The things divine, the things divine.

 

So wash me, Thou, without, within,

Or purge with fire, if that must be;

No matter how, if only sin

Die out in me, die out in me.