O Jesus, thou art standing
Outside the fast-closed door,
In lowly patience waiting
To pass the threshold o'er:
We bear the name of Christians,
His name and sign we bear,
O shame, thrice shame upon us,
To keep him standing there!
O Jesus, thou art knocking;
And Lo! that hand is scarred,
And thorns thy brow encircle,
And tears thy face have marred:
O Love that passeth knowledge,
So patiently to wait!
O sin that hat no equal,
So fast to bar the gate!
O Jesus, thou art pleading;
In accents meek and low,
'I died for you, my children,
And will ye treat me so?
O Lord, with shame and sorrow
We open now the door;
Dear Saviour, enter, enter,
And leave us nevermore!
A-men