Sarah Flower Adams (1805–1848)

O HALLOWED memories of the past,

Ye legends old and fair,

Still be your light upon us cast,

Your music on the air,

In vain shall man deny,

Or bid your mission cease,

While stars yet prophesy

Of love, and hope, and peace.

For hearts the beautiful that feel,

Whose pulse of love beats strong,

The opening heavens new light reveal,

Glory to God, their song.

While bursts confession forth,

That, since the world began,

No miracle on earth

E’er match’d the heart of man.

And while from out our dying dust

Light more than life doth stream,

We bless the faith that bids us trust

The heaven that we dream.

In death there is no fear,

There’s radiance through the gloom,

While love and hope are here,

The angels of the tomb.

Then, hallowed memories of the past,

Or legends old and fair,

Still be your light upon us cast,

Your music on the air,

In vain shall man deny,

Or bid your mission cease;

The stars yet prophesy

Of love, and hope, and peace.