To leave my dear friends, and with neighbors to part, And go from my home, it afflicts not my heart, Like thoughts of absenting myself for a day From that blessed retreat where I've chosen to pray, I've chosen to pray. Dear bow'r where the pine and the poplar have spread, And wove, with their branches, a roof o'er my head, How oft have I knelt on the evergreen there, And poured out my soul to my Saviour in prayer, my Saviour in prayer. The early shrill notes of the loved nightingale That dwelt in my bow'r, I observed as my bell, To call me to duty, while birds of the air Sing anthems of praises as I went to prayer, as I went to prayer. How sweet were the zephyrs perfumed by the pine, The ivy, the balsam, the wild eglantine; But sweeter, ah! sweeter, superlative were The joys I have tasted in answer to prayer, in answer to prayer. For Jesus, my Saviour, oft deign'd there to meet, And bless'd with His presence my humble retreat, Oft filled me with rapture and blessedness there, Inditing in heaven's own language, my prayer, own language my prayer. Dear bow'r, I must leave you and bid you adieu, And pay my devotions in parts that are new, For Jesus, my Saviour, resides ev'rywhere, And can in all places give answer to prayer, give answer to prayer.