1. Come, ye disconsolate, where'er ye languish; Come to the mercy-seat, fervently kneel; Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; Earth has no sorrow that heav'n cannot heal. 2. Joy of the desolate, Light of the straying, Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure, Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying, "Earth has no sorrow that heav'n cannot cure." 3. Here see the Bread of Life; see waters flowing, Forth from the throne of God, pure from above; Come to the feast of love; come, ever knowing Earth has no sorrow but heav'n can remove.
Lyrics: Verses 1, 2: Thomas Moore; Verse 3: Thomas Hastings
Music: Samuel Webbe
Tune: CONSOLATION/CONSOLATOR
Meter: 11.10.11.10.
Thomas Moore, 1779–1852, (verses 1 and 2 with alterations)
Thomas Hastings, 1784–1872, (verse 3)
Thomas Moore was well-known in Ireland for his poems and ballads such as “The Last Rose of Summer” and “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms.” He became known as the “Voice of Ireland.” Moore’s prose and poetry were said to be influential in the political emancipation of Ireland. The English seemed to sense in his writings the true spirit of the Irish people, and they were moved to be more sympathetic toward their gaining independence from England.
After Thomas Moore included this hymn in his 1824 collection, Sacred Songs—Duets and Trios, a number of revisions were made in the lines by Thomas Hastings, an American hymnist. The third stanza was almost completely rewritten by Hastings.