Words: , 1880.
Music: Goethe, anonymous. Alternate tune:
Holy Spirit! hear us; help us while we sing;
Breathe into the music of the praise we bring.
Holy Spirit! prompt us when we kneel to pray;
Nearer come and teach us what we ought to say.
Holy Spirit! shine Thou on the Book we read;
Gild its holy pages with the light we need.
Holy Spirit! give us each a lowly mind;
Make us more like Jesus, gentle, pure and kind.
Holy Spirit! brighten little deeds of toil;
And our playful pastimes let no folly spoil.
Holy Spirit! keep us safe from sins which lie
Hidden by some pleasure from our youthful eye.
Holy Spirit! help us daily by Thy might,
What is wrong to conquer and to choose the right.
Holy Spirit! hear us, help us while we sing;
Breathe into the music of the praise we bring.