Hushed was the ev'ning hymn,
The temple courts were dark;
The lamp was burning dim
Before the sacred ark;
When suddenly a voice divine
Rang thro' the silence of the shrine.

The old man meek and mild,
The priest of Israel slept,
His watch the temple child,
The little Levite kept,
And what from Eli's sense was sealed
The Lord to Hannah's son revealed.

Oh, give me Samuel's ear?
The open ear, O Lord!
Alive and quick to hear
Each whisper of Thy word;
Like him to answer at Thy call,
And to obey Thee first of all.