The Cyber Hymnal ‎#7269

7269. 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 servant
His joy eternal find;
Thou calledst him, O rest him,
Thou lover of mankind!

Text Information

• First Line: What sweet of life endureth
• Title: What Sweet of Life Endureth?
• Greek Title: Ποία τοῦ βίού τρυϕὴ διαμένει λύπης ἀμέτοχος
• Author: John of Damascus, 675-749
• Translator (from Greek): J. Athelstan Riley
• Meter: 76.76
• Language: English
• Source: translation in The English Hymnal (London: Oxford University Press, 1906), number 361
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: CHRISTUS, DER IST MEIN LEBEN
• Composer: Melchior Vulpius (1609)
• Meter: 76.76
• Incipit: 13234 53654 32356
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain