Art Thou Weary, Art Thou Languid?
Art Thou Weary, Art Thou Languid?
Art thou weary, art thou languid,
Art thou sore distressed?
“Come to me,” saith One, “and, coming,
Be at rest.”
Hath He marks to lead me to Him,
If He be my guide?
In His feet and hands are wound prints,
And His side.
Hath He diadem, as monarch,
That His brow adorns?
Yea, a crown, in very surety,
But of thorns.
If I find Him, if I follow,
What His guerdon here?
Many a sorrow, many a labor,
Many a tear.
If I still hold closely to Him,
What hath He at last?
Sorrow vanquished, labor ended,
Jordan passed.
If I ask Him to receive me,
Will He say me nay?
Not till earth and not till heaven
Pass away.
Finding, following, keeping, struggling,
Is He sure to bless?
Saints, apostles, prophets, martyrs,
Answer yes.
Translated by John Mason Neale (1818–1866)
JOHN NEALE specialized in discovering old Greek and Latin hymns and translating or paraphrasing them. This hymn was inspired by the life and writings of a Greek monk who lived in the Mar Sabas monastery near the Dead Sea.
In the seventh century, Islam had overrun the Middle East and North Africa. Many Christians fled to desolate areas, where monasteries were set up. Stephen the Sebaite was one of these. At Mar Sabas, he became choirmaster for a community of monks and composed a hymn, on which this one is based.
The beauty of the hymn lies in the contrast between the first couplet of each stanza (our human question or concern) and the second (Christ’s divine answer). The questions posed by this ancient hymn are still relevant today—and the answers, still true.
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
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