View me, Lord

General information

Lyricist: Thomas Campion

Settings by composers

• Thomas Campion SATB (Modernised text, in available edition)
• Christopher Hampson SATB (Modernised text. v.2 omitted)
• Ross Jallo SATB (Modernised text. v.2 omitted)
• Charles Wood ATB (Modernised text. v.2 omitted)

Texts and Translations

English text Modernised version 1  View me, Lord, a work of Thine: Shall I then lie drown'd in night? Might Thy grace in me but shine, I should seem made all of light. 2  But my soul still surfeits so On the poisoned baits of sin, That I strange and ugly grow, All is dark and foul within. 3  Cleanse me, Lord, that I may kneel At Thine altar pure and white: They that once Thy mercies feel, Gaze no more on earth's delight. 4  Worldly joys, like shadows, fade When the heav'nly light appears, But the cov'nants Thou hast made, Endless, know nor days nor years. 5  In Thy Word, Lord, is my trust, To Thy mercies fast I fly; Though I am but clay and dust, Yet Thy grace can lift me high. Amen.

Original text 1  View mee, Lord, a worke of thine : Shall I then lye drown’d in night? Might thy grace in mee but shine, I should seeme made all of light. 2  But my soule still surfets so On the poysoned baytes of sinne, That I strange and vgly growe, All is darke and foule within. 3  Clense mee, Lord, that I may kneele At thine Altar, pure and white : They that once thy Mercies feele, Gaze no more on earths delight. 4  Worldly ioyes like shadowes fade, When the heau’nly light appeares ; But the cou’nants thou hast made, Endlesse, know nor dayes, nor yeares. 5  In thy word, Lord, is my trust, To thy mercies fast I flye ; Though I am but clay and dust, Yet thy grace can lift me high.