Today marks the birthday of Isaac Watts, the "Father of English Hymnody"and poet with decidedly Unitarian leanings. To mark the occasion (and because I have three children all on summer vacation) here is his:"Against Quarreling and Fighting"
from Divine Songs for Children
LET dogs delight to bark and bite,
For God hath made them so;
Let bears and lions growl and fight,
For 'tis their nature too.
But, children, you should never let
Such angry passions rise;
Your little hands were never made
To tear each other's eyes.
Let love thro all your actions run,
And all your words be mild;
Live like the blessed Virgin's son,
That sweet and lovely child.
His soul was gentle as a lamb;
And as his stature grew,
He grew in favour both with man,
And God his father too.
Now, Lord of all, he reigns above,
And from his heav'nly throne
He sees what children dwell in love,
And marks them for his own.
For God hath made them so;
Let bears and lions growl and fight,
For 'tis their nature too.
But, children, you should never let
Such angry passions rise;
Your little hands were never made
To tear each other's eyes.
Let love thro all your actions run,
And all your words be mild;
Live like the blessed Virgin's son,
That sweet and lovely child.
His soul was gentle as a lamb;
And as his stature grew,
He grew in favour both with man,
And God his father too.
Now, Lord of all, he reigns above,
And from his heav'nly throne
He sees what children dwell in love,
And marks them for his own.
Blessings
3 comments:
Let's not forget another of his oldies-but-goodies, one that most of us sing in only slightly altered form every Sunday:
From all that dwell below the skies,
Let the Creator’s praise arise;
Let the Redeemer’s Name be sung,
Through every land, by every tongue.
Amen and thanks fausto. Blessings, BU
Well, as a dog mom, I don't think dogs should be allowed to bark and bite, but that's okay. Isaac is still the man.
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