Though Lowly Here Our Lot

Though lowly here our lot may be,
High work have we to do,
In faith and trust to follow Him
Whose lot was lowly, too.

Our lives, enriched with gentle thoughts
And loving deeds, may be
A stream that still the nobler grows,
The nearer to the sea.

To duty firm, to conscience true,
However tried and pressed,
In God’s clear sight high work we do,
If we but do our best.

Thus may we make the lowliest lot
With rays of glory bright;
Thus may we turn a crown of thorns
Into a crown of light.

Author: William Gaskell

Year: 1857

This hymn text by the English Unitarian minister and hymn-writer William Gaskell (1805–1884) first appeared in his collection "Sacred Poems" (1857). It is sometimes titled "Lowly Here Our Lot" or paired with tunes such as "St. Hugh." No strong alternate attributions exist.