In The Midst Of Gladness, Sorrow Lyrics

1. In the midst of gladness, sorrow,
In the midst of sorrow, joy -
Darkness deep obscures the moonlight -
Moonbeams, shades of night, destroy;
For above the smiles and sighing
Of this bright but sin stained earth,
Shines the Will of God, preparing
All things for their second birth.

2. None can yet partake of gladness,
All untempered by the Rood -
None can bear its weight of anguish,
Save by Jesu's succour good:
Thus the shady woodland branches
Hide the sunlight from our sight,
Thus the Cross of Jesus chequers
Earth's, perchance, too dazzling light.

3. So, sweet Mary this day standeth
In the midst of all her joy,
Shrouded in the coming shadows,
Deep'ning in their sad alloy;
And her snowy lily shining,
As by faith we see her stand,
Seems already shadowed over
By a cloud from far-off land.

4. Soon will sorrow be her portion,
Ere she reach the shining goal,
And the deeper, sharper anguish,
Sword-like, pierce her inmost soul;
But in all the gath'ring darkness,
Still the light from Gabriel's word
Shines with beams all radiant on her,
Mary, Mother of the Lord!

5. So, in gladness, hail the sorrow -
So, in sorrow, hail the joy -
Thus shall gladness speak of Heaven,
And the bliss without alloy:
Thus we learn from blessed Mary
Aye to dwell beneath the Cross,
And to count for that blest station,
Earthly praise and honour, loss.

6. And, at length, shall shine the radiance
Of the never-changing Day,
When the Angels come, and go no,
But abide with us for aye;
Where the lily wreaths are blooming,
'Neath the sun that goes not down,
Where each brace, each true cross-bearer
Shall receive a glorious Crown.