Christ My Song - 1549
The channels are on earth, the fountain is above - Streams by the Way (Jane Laurie Borthwick/Johannes Thomas Rüegg)
Streams by the Way.
"I give waters in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my people,
my chosen." (Isaiah 43,20)
1. The channels are on earth, the fountain is above,
hid in the secret depths of God's unchanging love;
and, as we onward go,
the healing waters flow,
refreshing weary souls and fainting hearts below. PDF - Midi
2. Have we not found it thus through all the changing past?
Is not the promise sure, unfailing to the last?
Even in a desert land,
if but our Lord command,
rivers of hope shall rise, and flow on either hand.
3. Arise, believing soul! give praise with cheerful voice,
and in thy Father's gifts with thankful heart rejoice; –
his earnests, and no more,
of better things in store,
ready to fill the cup, when days on earth are o'er.
4. Arise, desponding heart! if here the streams be dry,
still in the springs above remains a full supply.
No longer sadly mourn
beside a broken urn,
but to the Source itself for living waters turn.
5. Forward, in Jesus' name! our journey is unknown,
but well we know the end, before our Father's throne;
there, at the fountain side,
for ever to abide,
all labours overpaid, all longings satisfied!
H.L.L., alias Jane Laurie Borthwick, Thoughtful Hours, 1863, 77-78.