"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy..."

'They that sow in tears shall reap in joy...'
Poem by Clara Jacob 1875

Sow ye the precious seed of life
Though all around oppose
God who the seed to thee has given
Can conquer all thy foes

Sow ye the seed, be not dismayed
Now is the time to sow
To scatter fast the precious seed
Short is the time below

Sow ye the seed although the ground
A barren waste may lie
The precious seed is God's own care
He will not let it die

Sow ye the seed although earth's tares
Are round thee everywhere
Thou knowest not, the little seed
May spring and grow e'en there

Sow ye the seed although the heart
Stony and hard may prove
Maybe the stony heart may yield
With faithful words of love

Sow ye the seed, although with grief
The heart is bowed low
Go tell of him who grief and pain
Bore for us here below

Sow ye the seed, the reaping time
Is quickly drawing near
When all the sheaves we'll see above
That we have gathered here

'Tis then our life of toil and care
Our sowing time will cease
And on our loving Saviour's breast
We'll find eternal peace