Bless This House - May Brahe (1927)

Description:

Although not originally an American song, (the music was written by an Australian named May Brahe and the words were written by a friend of hers, an Englishwoman named Helen Taylor), this song has become a Thanksgiving song in the United States. I have included the lyrics below. May Brahe was the only Australian woman composer to attain international recognition before World War II. She published under her married name and nine pseudonyms. This permitted more frequent publication of her songs, as publishers were reluctant to publish more than four songs under her name in a year. In total, she wrote over 500 songs, and she also wrote musical comedies, including "Castles in Spain". Helen Taylor was her most frequent collaborator, and "Bless This House" became world-famous in recordings by singers such as John McCormack, Peter Dawson, Jan Peerce, Beniamino Gigli, Josef Locke, Vera Lynn, Doris Day and Perry Como, and continues its popularity to the present day. 1. Bless this house O Lord we pray; Make it safe by night and day; Bless these walls so firm and stout, Keeping want and trouble out: Bless the roof and chimneys tall, Let thy peace lie over all; Bless this door, that it may prove Ever open to joy and love. 2. Bless these windows shining bright, Letting in God's heav’nly light; Bless the hearth a’blazing there, With smoke ascending like a prayer; Bless the folk who dwell within, Keep them pure and free from sin; Bless us all that we may be Fit O Lord to dwell with thee; Bless us all that one day we May dwell O Lord with thee.