Thursday, October 16, 2008

A Child's prayer

I don't know why he named this A Child's Prayer. Perhaps he did not have the conventional meaning of the word in mind...
The poem is much prettier when you read it aloud and with proper timing (emphasis on the last syllable of each stanza). And in order to make it rhyme properly you have to read it with an english accent (otherwise 'come' and 'home' sound weird)...Or just enjoy the poem as is :)

A CHILD'S HYMN
Charles Dickens

Hear my prayer, O heavenly Father,
Ere I lay me down to sleep;
Bid Thy angels, pure and holy,
Round my bed their vigil keep.

My sins are heavy, but Thy mercy
Far outweighs them, every one;
Down before Thy cross I cast them,
Trusting in Thy help alone.

Keep me through this night of peril
Underneath its boundless shade;
Take me to Thy rest, I pray Thee,
When my pilgrimage is made.

None shall measure out Thy patience
By the span of human thought;
None shall bound the tender mercies
Which Thy Holy Son has bought.

Pardon all my past transgressions,
Give me strength for days to come;
Guide and guard me with Thy blessing
Till Thy angels bid me home.

1 comment:

Kassandra said...

I like this poem a lot. It's really pretty. Hope you're doing well. It was so nice to have you up here this summer. I had a good time when you came over and visited with us. Take care. :o)