How tedious and tasteless the hours When Jesus no longer I see Sweet prospects, sweet birds and sweet flowers Have all lost their sweetness to me The midsummer sun shines but dim The fields strive in vain to look gay But when I am happy in Him December's as pleasant as May His name yields the richest perfume And sweeter than music His voice His presence disperses all gloom And makes all within me rejoice. I would, were He always thus nigh Have nothing to dread or to fear No mortal so happy as I My summer would last all the year Content with beholding His face My all to His pleasure resigned No changes of season or place Could make any change in my mind So blessed in the light of His love A toy would a palace appear And prisons would palaces prove If Jesus would dwell with me there Dear Lord, if indeed I am Thine If Thou art my sun and my song Say, why do I languish and pine And why are my winters so long Lord, drive these dark clouds from my sky Thy soul-cheering presence restore Or take me up with Thee on high Where winter and clouds are no more