The Lord at first did Adam make
Out of the dust and clay,
And in his nostrils breathèd life,
E'en as the Scriptures say.
And then in Eden's paradise
He placèd him to dwell,
That he within it should remain,
To dress and keep it well.
And then within the garden he
Commanded was to stay;
And unto him in covenant
These words the Lord did say:
"The fruit which in the garden grows
To thee shall be for meat,
Except the tree in the midst thereof,
Of which thou shalt not eat."
"For in the day that thou should eat
Or to it then come nigh,
For if that thou dost eat thereof,
Then surely thou shalt die."
But Adam he did take no heed
Unto this only thing,
But did transgress God's holy Law,
And so was wrapt in sin.
Now mark the goodness of the Lord,
Which He for mankind bore;
His mercy soon He did extend,
Lost people for to restore;
And then, for to redeem our souls
From death and hellish thrall,
He said His only Son should be
The Savior of us all.
Singers: Concordia Publishing House Music | Words and Music: Traditional | Arrangement: David A. deSilva