The Cyber Hymnal ‎#15452

15452. Behold, That Great And Awful Day

1 Behold that great and awful day
Of parting soon will come,
When sinners must be hurled away;
And Christians gathered home!

2 They one with Dives for water cry,
And gnaw their tongues in pain,
They gnash their teeth and crisp and fry,
And wring their hands in vain.

3 Now hail! all hail! ye frightful ghosts,
With whom I once did dwell,
And spent my days in frantic mirth,
And danced my soul to hell!

4 You me about the floor did drag,
And caused my soul to sin;
And devils now your mouth shall gag,
And force the fuel in.

5 Perhaps the parent sees the child
Sink down to endless flames,
With shrieks, and howls, and bitter cries,
Never to rise again.

6 O father! see my blazing hands,
And mother! see your child!
Against you now, a witness stands,
Amidst the flames confined!

7 The child, perhaps, the parents view,
Go headlong down to hell:
Gone with the rest of Satan’s crew,
And bid the child farewell!

8 The husband sees his piteous wife,
With whom he once did dwell,
Depart with groans and bitter cries,
My husband! fare you well!

9 But O, perhaps, the wife may see,
The man she once did love,
Sink down to endless misery,
While she is crowned above!

10 Then shall the saints through grace combined,
Drink in eternal love:
In Jesus’ image there to shine,
And reign with Him above.

11 O how it lifts my soul to think,
Of meeting round the throne,
Eternal joys there for to drink,
Where sorrows never come.

Text Information

• First Line: Behold that great and awful day
• Title: Behold, That Great And Awful Day
• Author: Unknown
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Source: A Collection of Spiritual Songs and Hymns by Richard Allen (Philadelphia: John Ormrod, 1801)
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: YORK
• Meter: CM
• Key: F Major or modal
• Source: Scottish Psalter, 1615
• Copyright: Public Domain