-- Saint Joseph the Hymnographer

And wilt Thou pardon, Lord,

A sinner such as I,

Although Thy book his crimes record,

Of such a crimson dye?

So deep are they engraved,

So terrible their fear,

The righteous scarcely shall be saved,

And where shall I appear?

O Thou Physician blest,

Make clean my guilty soul

And me, by many a sin oppressed,

Restore and keep me whole.

I know not how to praise

Thy mercy and Thy love;

But deign my soul from earth to raise

And learn from Thee above.

-- Saint Joseph the Hymnographer