The Cyber Hymnal ‎#10492

10492. Earth's Transitory Things Decay

1 Earth’s transitory things decay,
Its pomps, its pleasures pass away;
But the sweet memory of the good
Survives in the vicissitude.

2 As ’midst the ever rolling sea,
The eternal isles established be,
’Gainst which the surges of the main
Fret, dash, and break themselves in vain—

3 As in the heavens, the urns divine,
Of golden light, for ever shine;
Though clouds may darken, storms may rage,
They still shine on from age to age—

4 So through the ocean tide of years,
The memory of the just appears;
So through the tempest and the gloom,
The good man’s virtues light the tomb.

5 Happy the righteous! come what may,
Though Heaven dissolve and earth decay;
Happy the righteous man! for he
Belongs to immortality.

Text Information

• First Line: Earth’s transitory things decay
• Title: Earth's Transitory Things Decay
• Author: John Bowring
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Source: A Collection of Hymns for Public and Private Worship by John Relly Beard (London: John Green, 1837)
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tune: WARRINGTON by Ralph Harrison; The sentiment of the hymn is well illustrated by a magnificent statue of marble which once stood over the great gate of Cardinal Grenville’s house. In one hand the figure held a wine-cup, in the other an urn. But the wine-cup was inverted and empty; the urn was erect, and overflowed with pure water from the hills. And on the pedestal for a motto was carved the single word, Durate, endure! (Robinson, p. 362)

Tune Information

• Name: ROTHWELL
• Composer: Willilam Tans'ur (1754)
• Meter: LM
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: Public Domain