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421. Make Me a Captive, Lord

Text: George Matheson, 1842-1906
Music: George J. Elvey, 1816-1893
Tune: DIADEMATA, Meter: SMD

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1.	Make me a captive, Lord, 
	and then I shall be free. 
	Force me to render up my sword, 
	and I shall conqueror be. 
	I sink in life's alarms 
	when by myself I stand; 
	imprison me within thine arms, 
	and strong shall be my hand. 

2.	My heart is weak and poor 
	until it master find; 
	it has no spring of action sure, 
	it varies with the wind. 
	It cannot freely move 
	till thou hast wrought its chain; 
	enslave it with thy matchless love, 
	and deathless it shall reign. 

3.	My power is faint and low 
	till I have learned to serve; 
	it lacks the needed fire to glow, 
	it lacks the breeze to nerve. 
	It cannot drive the world 
	until itself be driven; 
	its flag can only be unfurled 
	when thou shalt breathe from heaven. 

4.	My will is not my own 
	till thou hast made it thine; 
	if it would reach a monarch's throne, 
	it must its crown resign. 
	It only stands unbent 
	amid the clashing strife, 
	when on thy bosom it has leant, 
	and found in thee its life. 

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