Christ My Song - 636
I give my heart to thee - I give my heart
(Ray Palmer/Johannes Thomas Rüegg)
I give my heart.
"Cor meum Tibi dedo, Jesu dulcissime."
This beautiful hymn is found in Daniel's Thesaurus,
the author and the date both unknown. The Latin is
characterized by great simplicity and tenderness.
1. I give my heart to thee,
O Jesus most desired!
And heart for heart the gift shall be,
for thou my soul hast fired:
thou hearts alone would's move;
thou only hearts dost love.
I would love thee as thou lov'st me,
O Jesus most desired! (PDF - Midi)
2. What offering can I make,
dear Lord, to love like thine?
That thou, the God, didst stoop to take
a human form like mine!
"Give me thy heart, my son:"
Behold my heart, – 'tis done!
I would love thee as thou lov'st me,
O Jesus most desired!
3. Thy heart is opened wide,
its offered love most free,
that heart to heart I may abide,
and hide myself in thee:
ah, how thy love doth burn,
till I that love return!
I would love thee as thou lov'st me,
O Jesus most desired!
4. Here finds my heart its rest,
repose that knows no shock,
the strength of love that keeps it blessed.
In thee, the riven Rock,
my soul, as girt around,
her citadel hath found.
I would love thee as thou lov'st me,
O Jesus most desired!
1868.
Ray Palmer (after a Latin hymn), in: The Poetical Works of Ray Palmer, 1876, 109-110.