The Cyber Hymnal ‎#8563

8563. Oft As The Bell, With Solemn Toll

1 Oft as the bell, with solemn toll,
Speaks the departure of a soul;
Let each one ask himself: "Am I
Prepared, should I be called to die?"

2 Only this frail and fleeting breath
Preserves me from the jaws of death;
Soon as it fails, at once I’m gone,
And plunged into a world unknown.

3 Then, leaving all I loved below,
To God’s tribunal I must go;
Must hear the Judge pronounce my fate,
And fix my everlasting state.

4 But could I bear to hear Him say,
"Depart, accursèd, far away!
With Satan, in the lowest hell,
Thou art for ever doomed to dwell."

5 Lord Jesus! help me now to flee,
And seek my hope alone in Thee.
Apply Thy blood, Thy Spirit give,
Subdue my sin, and in me live.

6 Then, when the solemn bell I hear,
If saved from guilt, I need not fear;
Nor would the thought distressing be,
Perhaps it next may toll for me.

7 Rather, my spirit would rejoice,
And long, and wish, to hear Thy voice;
Glad when it bids me earth resign,
Secure of Heav’n, if Thou art mine.

Text Information

• First Line: Oft as the bell, with solemn toll
• Title: Oft As The Bell, With Solemn Toll
• Author: John Newton
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Source: Olney Hymns (London, W. Oliver, 1779), Book 2
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: ST. CRISPIN
• Composer: George Job Elvey (1862)
• Meter: LM
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain