Hymnal ‎#487

487. How long shall earth's alluring toys

1 How long shall earth's alluring toys
Detain our hearts and eyes,
Regardless of immortal joys,
And strangers to the skies?

2 These transient scenes will soon decay,
They fade upon the sight;
And quickly will their brightest day
Be lost in endless night.

3 Their brightest day, alas! how vain!
With conscious sighs we own;
While clouds of sorrow, care, and pain
O'er shade the smiling noon.

4 O could our thoughts and wishes fly
Above these gloomy shades,
To those bright worlds beyond the sky,
Which sorrow ne'er invades,--

5 There, joys unseen by mortal eyes,
Or reason's feeble ray,
In ever-blooming prospects rise,
Unconscious of decay.

6 Lord, send a beam of light divine
To guide our upward aim:
With one reviving touch of Thine
Our languid hearts inflame.

7 Then shall, on faith's sublimest wing,
Our ardent wishes rise,
To those bright scenes where pleasures spring
Immortal in the skies.

Text Information

• First Line: How long shall earth's alluring toys
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1871

Tune Information

(No tune information)