O SHEPHERD of the church, give ear,

Lord, Thou hast planted with Thy hands A lovely vine in heathen lands; How did those spreading branches shoot And bless the nations with their fruit!

But now its beauty is defaced, And foes have laid her fences waste; Return, O God! How long! Return! Nor let Thy failing vineyard mourn.

Lord, when this vine in Canaan grew, Thou gavest strength and glory too; Kept it through years from numerous foes Until the Branch of promise rose.

Fair Branch, ordained of old to shoot From David’s stock, from Jacob’s root, Our Saviour came to Israel’s land, Down from His throne at Thy right hand.

O for His sake attend our cry, Shine on our churches lest they die, Turn us to Thee, revive, restore, We shall be saved and blessed once more.