Christ! For Thee, With Sorrow Laden Lyrics

1. Christ! for Thee, with sorrow laden,
Born of anxious loving care,
Joseph chaste and Mary maiden,
Back to Sion's mount repair.
On with eager footsteps pacing,
Weariness and peril facing,
They Thy boyish footsteps tracing,
To the Temple, find Thee there.

2. Thou, amid the doctors seated,
Heavenly teaching dost expound,
Task and duty there are meted
With a wisdom all profound.
Sparkling truths like jewels strowing.
Thou, bright words with fervour glowing,
In a living torrent flowing,
Speak'st to listening ears around.

3. Through the group Thy mother pressing;
Why, sweet Son, she cries, with me
Deal'st Thou thus, those hearts distressing,
Which aye love and reverence Thee?
Unto whom with utterance meekest:
Wist thou not the Son thou seekest
On His Father's work, thou speakest,
Evermore engaged must be?

4. Child Divine! Each faint endeavour
In all loving Christians bless,
Others to encourage ever
In the paths of holiness;
Suffering and pain assuaging,
Weary hearts with love engaging,
In our Father's business waging
Mortal strife with wickedness.