Classic Christian Hymns · Public-domain text

Take My Life and Let It Be

Frances R. Havergal

Frances Ridley Havergal (1836–1879) was an English poet and hymnist whose life was marked by deep devotion. Despite chronic illness and physical frailty, Havergal was a woman of infectious joy and musical talent. In 1874, during a visit to a home where ten people resided (some unconverted, some cold in their faith), she prayed: 'Lord, give me all in this house!' Before she left, every single person had experienced a spiritual renewal. Filled with gratitude on her final night, she sat up and wrote the complete lyrics of 'Take My Life, and Let It Be' as a consecration prayer, dedicating every part of her body, voice, and possessions to God's service.

Source: Public-domain consecration hymn

Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.
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