Voices of Praise ‎#284

284. Those eternal bowers

1 Those eternal bowers
Man has never trod,
Those unfading flowers
Round the throne of God:
Who may hope to gain them
After weary fight?
Who at length attain them
Clad in robes of white?

2 He who gladly barters
All on earthly ground;
He who, like the martyrs,
Says, "I will be crowned:"
He, whose one oblation
Is a life of love;
Clinging to the nation
Of the blest above.

3 Shame upon you, legions
Of the heavenly King,
Citizens of regions
Past imagining!
What! with pipe and tabor
Dream away the light,
When He bids you labour--
When He tell you, "Fight?"

4 Jesu, Lord of Glory,
As we breast the tide,
Whisper Thou of beauty
On the other side!
What though sad the story
Of this life's distress;
Oh, the future glory!
Oh, the loveliness!

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Those eternal bowers
• Meter: 6s. 5s. D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1883
• Topic: Festivals
• Notes: Now Public Domain.

Tune Information

• Name: DAMASCUS
• Meter: 6s. 5s. D.
• Key: D Major
• Notes: Now Public Domain.