Laudes Domini ‎#566

566. The better portion

1 Rise, my soul, and stretch thy wings,
Thy better portion trace;
Rise from transitory things
Toward heaven, thy native place:
Sun and moon and stars decay;
Time shall soon this earth remove;
Rise, my soul, and haste away
To seats prepared above.

2 Rivers to the ocean run,
Nor stay in all their course;
Fire ascending seeks the sun;
Both speed them to their source:
So a soul that's born of God,
Pants to view his glorious face;
Upward tends to his abode,
To rest in his embrace.

3 Cease, ye pilgrims, cease to mourn,
Press onward to the prize;
Soon our Saviour will return
Triumphant in the skies:
Yet a season, and you know
Happy entrance will be given,
All our sorrows left below,
And earth exchanged for heaven.

Text Information

• First Line: Rise, my soul, and stretch thy wings
• Title: The better portion
• Author: Robert Seagrave
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1890
• Topic: The Rest of Heaven; Heaven; Pleasures

Tune Information

• Name: AMSTERDAM
• Composer: J. Nares
• Meter: 7s, 6s, D
• Key: G Major or modal