The New English Hymnal ‎#330

330. What sweet of life endureth

1 What sweet of life endureth
Unmixed with bitter pain?
’Midst earthly change and chances
What glory doth remain?

2 All is a feeble shadow,
A dream that will not stay;
Death cometh in a moment,
And taketh all away.

3 O Christ, a light transcendent
Shines in thy countenance,
And none can tell the sweetness,
The beauty of thy glance.

4 In this may thy poor servants
His joy eternal find;
Thou calledst them, O rest them,
Thou lover of mankind!

Text Information

• First Line: What sweet of life endureth
• Author: St John of Damascus, c. 750
• Translator: Athelstan Riley, 1858-1945
• Meter: 76 76
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: Sacraments and Other Rites: Funerals and the Departed
• Source: Greek
• Copyright: Tr. By permission of Oxford University Press (from "English Hymnal")
• Notes: Now Public Domain, Alternative tune CHRISTUS DER IST MEIN LEBEn 175

Tune Information

• Name: ST MARY MAGDALENE
• Composer: H. A. Jeboult, 1871-1925
• Meter: 76 76
• Key: g minor