Love Divine, that stoop'd to share

Love Divine, that stoop'd to share 
Our sharpest pang, our bitt'rest tear,
O Love Divine, we smile at pain while Thou art near.
Though long the weary way we tread,
And sorrow crown each ling'ring year,
No path we shun no darkness dread,
Our hearts still whisp'ring,
Thou art near!

Love Divine, that stoop'd to share 
Our sharpest pang, our bitt'rest tear,
O Love Divine, on thee we cast each earthborn care.
When drooping pleasure turns to grief,
And trembling faith is turn'd to fear,
The murm'ring wind, the quiv'ring leaf
Shall tell us softly,
Thou art near!

O Thee we fling our burd'ning woe,
O Love Divine, forever dear,
Content to suffer, while we know,
Living and dying,
Thou art near!

by Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894) , from The Professor at the Breakfast-Table, published 1860

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

by Carrie Belle Adams (1859-1940) , "Thou art near", published 1924. [mezzo-soprano and tenor]
by Nathan Hale Allen (1848-1925) , "O love divine", published 1897. [soprano and tenor, piano]
by (Mary) Frances Allitsen, née Bumpus (1848-1912) , "Hymn of trust", published 1903. [voice, organ or harmonium ad lib]
by Sir Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877) , "Hymn of trust"
by Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (1867-1944) , "Hymn of trust", published 1891 [voice, piano], from Song Album
by Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (1867-1944) , "Hymn of trust", op. 13, published 1901. [voice, piano, violin ad lib]
by William Gardiner Hammond (1874-1945) , "O love divine", published 1937.
by Maitland Harvey , "O love divine", published 1937 [mixed voices], Hymn-Anthem
by (Franz) Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) , "O love divine"
by Albert J. Holden , "Thou art near", published 1883.
by Charles Edward Ives (1874-1954) , "Hymn of trust", 1898.
by William Charles MacFarlane (1870-1945) , "O love divine", published 1902. [soprano, alto]
by Leonard Babbidge Marshall (1847-?) , "Though long the weary way we tread", published 1885.
by George W. Marston (1840-1901) , "O love divine", published 1900. [soprano or tenor, piano]
by George Balch Nevin (1859-1933) , "O love divine", published 1896. [contralto]
by Henry Kemble Oliver (1800-1885) , "O love divine, that stooped to share"
by Alfred Plumpton , "Thou art near", published 1875.
by Daniel Protheroe (1866-1934) , "O love divine", published 1926. [chorus: mixed voices, organ ad lib]
by J. P. Vance , "O love divine", published 1888.

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

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