Sweet Complaint - Holden, Oliver

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"Words by Isaac Watts, 1706, ''Lyric Poems'', Book 1, ''Love to Christ''; the words have been edited somewhat by Holden."

⌛ Period → Classical ◈ Genre → Sacred

♯ Key D minor

⁄ Time Signature 4/4

♬ Voicing → STB

◆ Difficulty

Elementary

↕ Range A2 – F5

¶ Language → English

Measures 31

Texture mixed texture

Parts 3

Instruments A cappella

Pages 1

CPDL # 34904

Editor Barry Johnston

Posted 2015-03-26

License CPDL License

♫Pitch Ranges

Treble

D4 – F5

Tenor

D3 – F4

Bass

A2 – D4

¶Lyrics / Text

''Love to Christ, Present or Absent'' I. Of all the joys we mortals know, Jesus, Thy love exceeds the rest; Love, the best blessing here below, And nearest image of the blest. II. Sweet are my thoughts, and soft my cares, When the celestial flame I feel; In all my hopes, and all my fears, There's something kind and pleasing still. III. While I am held in His embrace, There's not a thought attempts to rove; Each smile he wears upon His face Fixes, and charms, and tires my love. IV. He speaks, and straight immortal joys Run through my ears, and reach my heart! My soul all melts at that dear voice, And pleasure shoots through every part. V. If He withdraw a moment's space, He leaves a sacred pledge behind; Here in this bread his image stays, The grief and comfort of my mind. VI. While of His absence I complain(1), And long, and weep, as lovers do(2), There's a strange pleasure in the pain, And tears have their own sweetness too. VII. When round his courts by day I rove(3), Or ask the watchmen of the night For some kind tidings of my love(4), His very name creates delight. VIII. Jesus, my God! Yet rather come; Mine eyes would dwell upon Thy face; 'Tis best to see my Lord at home, And feel the presence of his grace. ______________ :1. Holden has "''Thy'' absence ''we'' complain." :2. Holden has "and weep ''in all we do''." :3. Holden has "''Thy'' courts by day ''we'' rove." :4. Holden has "tidings of ''our'' love."