1.

This world is a tearful valley drear, valley drear.
O how sin is rampant here, rampant here.
And to root it out takes long, indeed.
’Tis but step by step we’re freed.

2.

With abundant mercy, God does bless, God does bless—
In return, wants righteousness, righteousness.
But, alas, He must wait long till He
Any progress here can see.

3.

What a wretched state, O what a woe, what a woe—
Worse than it should ever go! Ever go!
See how mis’ry and defeat prevail.
Few have vict’ry; many fail.

4.

All God’s goodness here a thousandfold, thousandfold,
Was not able to uphold, To uphold;
And to think, Christ for us suff’ring bore.
Bring to mind His tears so sore.

5.

Many brothers had a hopeful start, hopeful start—
Bore the Church upon their heart, on their heart.
But the grief is more than tongue can tell—
’Tis because of pride they fell.

6.

When ’twas thought they’d stand the testing fire, testing fire,
They atonement did require, did require.
When will all this sinning cease to reign?
Vict’ry we can all attain.

Written by Elias Aslaksen (published in 1929)Composed by Even SkogsrudText and melody © Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters ForlagNorway ⋅ E