The Cyber Hymnal ‎#16448

16448. A Bygone Year

1 A year, another year is fled;
Its issues who can tell?
Millions of voices of the dead
Reply from Heav’n or hell.

2 All these were living at the birth
Of the departed year;
They all have vanished from the earth,
We fill their places here.

3 Though to the eye, the ear, the mind
Of man their speech is sealed,
Th’eternal meaning each may find,
In two plain words revealed.

4 Lost spirits, from the dark abyss,
Cry mournfully "Beware!"
Spirits in glory, and in bliss,
Sing joyfully "Prepare!"

5 Thus timely warned, and moved with fear,
Of wrath, let us beware;
For life or death, in this new year,
For earth and Heav’n prepare.

6 Who then of those with us, this day
In childhood, youth, or age,
"To love the Lord our God" can say
"We all our hearts engage."

Text Information

• First Line: A year, another year is fled
• Title: A Bygone Year
• Author: James Montgomery
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Source: Original Hymns for Public, Private and Social Devotion, (London: Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans:1853
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: LAMBETH
• Composer: Wilhelm August Ferdinand Schulthes (1871)
• Meter: CM
• Key: G Major or modal
• Copyright: Public Domain