There’s a flower, a priceless gem,
I’d rather wear around my brow
Than the imperial diadem
That decks the fair Victoria now.
’Twould shed a halo round my youth,
And light my onward path to heaven;
It is the gem of “perfect truth,”
To erring mortals rarely given.

There is a sceptre I would yield,
Whose sway is mightier by far
Than ever gleam’d from spear or shield,
Or ever gained a glorious war.
Its banner waves above the skies,
’Tis much on earth, and all above;
’Twould guide my steps to paradise,
For ’tis “the perfect rule of love.”

There is a star I have in view,
Whose pale though never-changing light
Shines softly ’mid the heaven’s blue,
Gently alluring mortal sight.
Those who behold its twinkling beams
In darken’d frenzy never grope;
Above the noisy world it gleams,
It is the guiding star of “hope.”

There is a substance that I crave,
A boon of high, celestial birth;
’Twould light the portals of the grave,
And cast a halo o’er the earth;
’Twould shield me from temptation’s power,
From every breath of empty fame,
Give triumph in my dying hour, –
’Tis living “faith“ in Jesus’ name.

Author: A. E. C.

Signs of the Times
Volume 27, Number 23; December 1, 1859

Below are the songs that were made from the poem using AI. They are identified
by the genre of the music in paranthesis.