St. Agnes' Eve Lyrics

Deep on the convent-roof the snows

Are sparkling to the moon

My breath to heaven like vapour goes

May my soul follow soon!

The shadows of the convent-towers

Slant down the snowy sward

Still creeping with the creeping hours

That lead me to my Lord

Make Thou my spirit pure and clear

As are the frosty skies

Or this first snowdrop of the year

That in my bosom lies

As these white robes are soil'd and dark

To yonder shining ground

As this pale taper's earthly spark

To yonder argent round

So shows my soul before the Lamb

My spirit before Thee

So in mine earthly house I am

To that I hope to be

Break up the heavens, O Lord! and far

Thro' all yon starlight keen

Draw me, thy bride, a glittering star

In raiment white and clean

He lifts me to the golden doors

The flashes come and go

All heaven bursts her starry floors

And strows her lights below

And deepens on and up! the gates

Roll back, and far within

For me the Heavenly Bridegroom waits

To make me pure of sin

The sabbaths of Eternity

One sabbath deep and wide

A light upon the shining se

The Bridegroom with his bride!