Hymn for Labor Day

Jesus, thou divine Companion, by thy lowly human birth
thou hast come to join the workers, burden bearers of the earth.
Thou, the carpenter of Nazareth, toiling for thy daily food,
by thy patience and thy courage, thou hast taught us toil is good.

Where the many toil together, there art thou among thine own;
where the solitary labor, thou art there with them alone;
thou, the peace that passeth knowledge, dwellest in the daily strife;
thou, the Bread of heaven, art broken in the sacrament of life.

Every task, however simple, sets the soul that does it free;
every deed of human kindness done in love is done to thee.
Jesus, thou divine Companion, help us all to work our best;
bless us in our daily labor, lead us to our Sabbath rest.

Text: Henry Van Dyke
Tune: Pleading Savior