Church Book ‎#547

547. When my last hour is close at hand

1 When my last hour is close at hand,
My last sad journey taken,
Do Thou, Lord Jesus! by me stand,
Let me not be forsaken.
O Lord, my spirit I resign
Into Thy loving hands divine;
'Tis safe within Thy keeping.

2 Countless as sands upon the shore,
My sins may then appall me;
Yet, though my conscience vex me sore,
Despair shall not enthrall me:
For as I draw my latest breath,
I'll think, Lord Christ! upon Thy Death,
And there find consolation.

3 I shall not in the grave remain,
Since Thou death's bonds hast severed;
But hope with Thee to rise again,
From fear of death delivered,
For where Thou art, there I shall be.
That I may ever live with Thee:
This is my joy in dying.

4 And so to Jesus Christ I'll go,
My longing arms extending;
So fall asleep in slumber deep,
Slumber that knows no ending,
Till Jesus Christ, God's only Son,
Opens the gates of bliss, leads on
To heaven, to life eternal.

Text Information

• First Line: When my last hour is close at hand
• German Title: Wenn mein Stündlein vorhanden ist
• Translator: Edgar Alfred Bowring (185-. a.)
• Author: Nikolaus Hermann (1560)
• Meter: 8, 7. Iambic
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1890
• Topic: Death and Eternity: Preparation for Death; Easter Eve; Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity; Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity; Twenty Fifth Sunday after Trinity
• Notes: Alternate tune: #565

Tune Information

• Name: WENN MEIN STÜNDLEIN VORHANDEN IST
• Meter: 8, 7. Iambic
• Key: G Major
• Notes: Composer from index: Zinkeisen, 1584