Advent Hymnals

131. NOTHING BUT LEAVES

Christ in Song,

1.
Nothing but leaves!  The Spirit grieves
O'er years of wasted life;
O'er sins indulged while conscience slept,
O'er vows and promises unkept,
And reap from years of strife
Nothing but leaves!  Nothing but leaves!

2.
Nothing but leaves!  No gathered sheaves
Of life's fair ripening grain:
We sow our seeds; lo!  tares and weeds,
Words, idle words, for earnest deeds,
Then reap, with toil and pain, 
Nothing but leaves!  Nothing but leaves!

3.
Nothing but leaves!  Sad mem'ry weaves
No vail to hide the past;
And as we trace our weary way,
And count each lost and misspent day,
We sadly find at last
Nothing but leaves!  Nothing but leaves.

4.
Ah, who shall thus  The Master meet,
And bring but withered leaves?
Ah, who shall at the Saviour's feet,
Before the awful judgment seat
Lay down for golden sheaves,
Nothing but leaves!  Nothing but leaves!