My God, I Love Thee (KINGSFOLD)
Text: Attr. to Fracis Xavier, 1506-1552, Trans. by Edward Caswall, 1849
Tune: English Traditional
My God, I love Thee; not because
I hope for Heav’n thereby,
Nor yet for fear that loving not
I might forever die;
But for that thou didst all mankind
Upon the cross embrace;
For us didst bear the nails and spear,
And manifold disgrace;
And griefs and torments numberless,
And sweat of agony;
E’en death itself, and all for man,
Who was thine enemy.
Then why, most loving Jesus Christ,
Should I not love thee well?
Not for the sake of winning heav’n,
Nor any fear of hell;
Not with the hope of gaining aught,
Not seeking a reward,
But as thyself has loved me,
O ever loving Lord!
E’en so I love thee, and will love,
And in thy praise will sing,
Solely because thou art my God
And my eternal King!
