Fair are the meadows, fair are the woodlands...

Today is misty, damp and cool. Serenity fills the air alongside birdsong and chipmunk chirps. Bursts of spring rain start and stop; a gift from the low cloudy skies.
While in the woods this morning I felt overcome by the beauty and peace this spring has wrought so far. It inspired me to sing and what better place to do so than in the woods where no one but a few woodland animals can hear you?

I felt transcendental; singing as I tramped through damp leaves and admired ferns and fiddleheads, buds and blooms, leaves and laurels. The song that foremost came to my mind was the hymn Fairest Lord Jesus. The second verse in particular, though all the words to that song are sublime and the tune is glorious.

If you don't know it, here is a rather nice arrangement of it being played on the piano. And the lyrics are beneath, strewn among the many photographs I took today.*

1 Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
Son of God and Son of Man!

Thee will I cherish, thee will I honor,

Thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown.

 2 Fair are the meadows, fair are the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring:

Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

 

3 Fair is the sunshine, fair is the moonlight,
And all the twinkling, starry host:

 Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heav'n can boast

  4-Beautiful Saviour! Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!

 Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and for evermore be thine.

I was a bit disappointed that as I sang, no cutesy woodland creatures came to dance and play around me. Maybe next time, eh?

For now, a cup of tea is called for on this drizzly day.



**I took all of these this morning, despite what some of the dates say. The dating thing on my camera is wonky sometimes and half way through it started acting up. Whatever, haha.