Poems (Sharpless)/"Tarry With Me"

by Frances M. Sharpless

"TARRY WITH ME"

Tarry with me, oh my Saviour,
 Thro' the noon-day's burning heat;—
Smile Thy fond approval on me
 As I urge my heavy feet.
And as aye the shadows lengthen,
 And the night comes slowly on,
Tarry with me, oh Redeemer,
 Till my latest work be done.

Tarry with me when the night falls
 Dark and cold upon my heart,—
And my soul will reap its gladness,
 Kneeling humbly where Thou art.
And whene'er the floods rise higher
 Round my lowly, sinking head,
Tarry with me then to aid me,
 And I shall not be afraid.

When the darkness of misfortune
 Hides the heavens from my eye,
When the earth wears robes of sorrow,
 And no blue is in the sky,—
When one dreary, dreary anguish
 Comes between my soul and Thee,
Oh! remove not then Thy presence;
 Tarry still to comfort me.

When the tempters loud assail me,
 Imaging a form of light,
And my wavering feet are straying
 From the pure, the true, the right,
Tarry with me, Thou who suffered,
 And Thy crown of thorns shall be
As memento of Thy anguish,
 All endured, oh Christ! for me.

Tarry with me, tarry with me,
 For the night draws near apace.
Death comes fraught with fearful terrors
 If I cannot see Thy Face;—
If Thou wilt not, Risen Saviour,
 Make Thy creature still Thy care.
Tarry with me, tarry with me;
 This is my most earnest prayer.