My birth-day of nature I've oftentimes kept,
And rejoic'd in the revels of youth;
Yet 'twas all but a dream, for I slumber'd and slept,
Quite a stranger to God and his truth.
But he pitied my soul. I awoke from my sleep,
And he saved me in infinite love:
A new birth-day my Saviour then taught me to keep,
For again I was born from above.
And now I believe that the God of all peace
Will be mine 'till with age I am hoary;
But if angels rejoiced at my birth-day of grace,
How they'll sing on my birth-day of glory!
By the Revd Legh Richmond
