tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899

God made the sun to give me light,

The trees to give me shade;

The cowslips and the violets

For me His Hands have made.

He made the birds to sing to me,

The blossoms on the tree,

To make me glad in summer days;

But why did He make me?

O child, how wonderful and sweet

The answer God has given!

The blessed Lord, who died for thee,

Has need of thee in Heaven.

To make Him glad in Paradise

He needs thy little song;

He needs thee for His love and joy

Where He has waited long.

Oh glad art thou when spring comes in,

And flowers and birds and bees

Make all the sunny fields rejoice,

And leaves are on the trees.

O child! the Lord will have His spring

When these long years are past.

His little ones from every land

Shall be with Him at last.

His lilies and His roses sweet,

His buds and blossoms rare,

All, all His children then shall meet,

And all His joy shall be complete

When they are round Him there.