Hymnal: A Selection of Christian Hymns
Date: 1818
Compiler: Rice Haggard
Publisher/Printer: John Norvell
First Line: Teach me the measure of my days
Topic: The Afflicted Saint
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer:
Meter: CM
Tune:
Hymn Number: 133
Page Number: 134, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsTeach me the measure of my days,
Thou Maker of my frame;
I would survey life's narrow space,
And learn how frail I am.
A span is all that we can boast,
An inch or two of time;
Man is but vanity and dust,
In all his flower and prime.
See the vain race of mortals move,
Like shadows o'er the plain;
They rage and strive, desire and love,
But all their noise is vain.
See the vain race of mortals move,
Like the shadows o'er the plain;
They rage and strive, desire and love,
But all their noise is vain.
Some walk in honor's gaudy show,
Some dig for golden ore;
They toil for heirs they know not who,
And straight are seen no more.
What should I wish or wait for then,
From creatures, earth and dust?
They make our expectations vain,
And disappoint our trust.
Now I forbid my carnal hope,
My fond desires recall;
I give my mortal interest up,
And make my God my all!