Bless This House

“Bless This House” was written in 1927 by English poet Helen Taylor, and put to music by Australian composer May H. Brahe. Brahe was a highly successful composer at the time, having had 290 of her 500 songs published, and “Bless This House” became her most famous song. It was originally titled “Bless the House,” but Irish tenor John McCormick suggested changing the name when he recorded it in 1932. It soared in popularity and was recorded by many others, including Perry Como, Doris Day, and Mahalia Jackson.

“Bless This House” was commonly sung at Thanksgiving (and continues to be, at least by my family!) because it lists so many things we can be grateful for - our homes, safety, warmth, family, and friends. 

We gathered around my grandpa’s player piano every Thanksgiving to sing this song together. I hope you enjoy it and sing along with your own loved ones. Good luck hitting those high notes!  

Lyrics: 

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

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