Hymnal: The Christian Hymn-Book
Date: 1815
Compiler: John Thompson et al
Publisher/Printer: Looker and Wallace
First Line: Why should we start and fear to die
Topic: Funeral Hymns
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer:
Meter: LM
Tune:
Hymn Number: 226
Page Number: 200, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsWhy should we start and fear to die?
What tim'rous worms we mortals
Death is the gate of endless joy, [are,
And yet we dread to enter there.
The pains, the groans, and dying strife,
Fright our approaching should away;
Still we shrink back again to life,
Fond of our prison and our clay.
O, if my Lord would come and meet,
My soul would stretch her wings in hast,
Fly fearless thro' death's iron gate,
Nor feel the terrors as she pass'd.
Jesus can make a dying bed
Feel soft as downy pillows are,
While on his breast I lean my head,
And breath my life out sweetly there.