Explore "A Mother's Birthday (Songs of Hearth and Altar)" by Henry Van Dyke on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Lord Jesus, Thou hast known / A mother's love and tender care: / And Thou wilt hear, / While for my own / Mother most dear / I make this birthday prayer.
Protect her life, I pray, / Who gave the gift of life to me; / And may she know, / From day to day, / The deepening glow / Of joy that comes from Thee.
As once upon her breast / Fearless and well content I lay, / So let her heart, / On Thee at rest, / Feel fear depart / And trouble fade away.
Ah, hold her by the hand, / As once her hand held mine; / And though she may / Not understand / Life's winding way, / Lead her in peace divine.
I cannot pay my debt / For all the love that she has given; / But Thou, love's Lord, / Wilt not forget / Her due reward, -- / Bless her in earth and heaven.