The Cyber Hymnal ‎#13119

13119. Oh! Seize This Hour

1 Oh! seize this hour, for day by day,
Death lies in ambush for his prey;
Fill it with virtuous toils and cares—
He spreads around his thousand snares.

2 He lurks in summer’s sickly breath,
The winter winds are winged with death,
And autumn, in her mellow stores,
Disease amidst her riches showers.

3 But thou, in every season brave,
Walk calmly o’er that hidden grave,
For Christian duties, aims divine,
To thee make every season shine.

4 The summer’s sickly air may bring
Disease and suffering on its wing,
But holy patience waits on thee,
To sweetly soothe thy misery.

5 Should pestilence, in autumn’s shade,
Sudden thy blooming health invade,
Unshrinking thou that dart shalt bear,
For God Himself is with thee there.

6 And should the winter’s fiercer hour
The bursting tempest on thee shower,
Amidst that elemental strife,
Calm shalt thou view eternal life.

7 The Christian heart shall know not fear,
Though death in every shape appear;
Amid the waves’ most awful form,
It sees a Father in the storm!

Text Information

• First Line: Oh! seize this hour, for day by day
• Title: Oh! Seize This Hour
• Author: Jane E. Hornblower
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Source: Poems (London: Simpkin, Marshall, 1843)
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate Tunes: ST. LUKE by John F. Lampe, TRURO by Thomas Williams, WAREHAM by William Knapp

Tune Information

• Name: WARRINGTON
• Composer: Ralph Harrison (1784)
• Meter: LM
• Key: B♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain