Hymnal: The Christian Hymnal Revised
Date: 1882
Compiler: A I Hobbs et al
Publisher/Printer: Christian Publishing Co
First Line: Why should we start and fear to die
Topic: Death/Not to be Feared
Writer: Isaac Watts
Composer: Aaron Chapin
Meter: LM
Tune: Forest
Hymn Number: 233
Page Number: 088, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsWHY should we start and fear to die?
What tim'rous worms we mortals are!
Death is the gate of endless joy,
And yet we dread to enter there.
The pains, the groans, and dying strife,
Fright our approaching souls 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 haste,
Fly fearless through death's iron gate,
Nor fear 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 breathe my life out sweetly there.