O LIVING, living water, br So busy and so bright, br Aye flashing in the morning beams, br And sounding through the night; br O golden-shining water-- br Would God that I might be br A vocal message from His mouth br Into the world, like thee! br br O merry, merry water, br Which nothing e'er affrays; br And as it pours from rock to rock br Nothing e'er stops or stays; br But past cool heathery hollows br And gloomy pools it flows; br Past crags that fain would shut it in br Leaps through--and on it goes. br br O fresh'ning, sparkling water, br O voice that's never still, br Though winter lays her dead-white hand br On brae and glen and hill; br Though no leaf's left to flutter br In woods all mute and hoar, br Yet thou, O river, night and day br Thou runnest evermore. br br No foul thing can pollute thee; br Thy swiftness casts aside br All ill, like a good heart and true, br However sorely tried.