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.
Source: Hymnal: according to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America #487
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