HARVEST HYMN - NOW THE YEAR IS CROWNED

 Harvest time is here once again, I think it might be my favourite time of the year. When we were away we noticed many farmers busy in their fields, I managed to photograph some -

Gone are the hay stacks of yesteryear, gone are the heavy horses!

Here is an old hymn which always springs to mind at this time of year

Now the year is crowned with blessing

As we gather in the grain;

And, our grateful thanks expressing,

Loud we raise a joyous strain.

Bygone days of toil and sadness

Cannot now our peace destroy'

For the hills are clothed with gladness,

And the valleys shout for joy

To the Lotd their first fruits bringing

All His thankful people come,

To the Father praises singing

For the joy of harvest home

In the spring the smiling meadows

Donned their robes of living green;

As the sunshine chased the shadows

Swiftly o'er the changing scene;

In the summer time the story

Of a riper hope was told;

Then the rich autumnal glory

Decked the fields in cloth of gold.

Shall not we, whose hearts are swelling

With the thought of former days,

Sing a joyous song foretelling

Future gladness, fuller praise?

For the cloud the bow retaineth

With its covenant of peace

That, as long as earth remaineth,

Harvest time shall never cease

(Eileen Thorneycroft Fowler 1880-1929