The Hymnal 1982 ‎#541

541. Come, labor on

1 Come, labor on.
Who dares stand idle on the harvest plain,
while all around us waves the golden grain?
And to each servant does the Master say,
"Go work today."

2 Come, labor on.
The enemy is watching night and day,
to sow the tares, to snatch the seed away;
while we in sleep our duty have forgot,
he slumbered not.

3 Come, labor on.
Away with gloomy doubts and faithless fear!
No arm so weak but may do service here:
by feeblest agents may our God fulfill
his righteous will.

4 Come, labor on.
Claim the high calling angels cannot share—
to young and old the Gospel gladness bear;
redeem the time; its hours too swiftly fly.
The night draws nigh.

5 Come, labor on.
No time for rest, till glows the western sky,
till the long shadows o'er our pathway lie,
and a glad sound comes with the setting sun.
"Servants, well done."

Text Information

• First Line: Come, labor on
• Author: Jane Laurie Borthwick, 1813-1897 (alt.)
• Meter: 4. 10 10. 10 4
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1985
• Topic: The Church's Mission

Tune Information

• Name: ORA LABORA
• Composer: Thomas Tertius Noble, 1867-1953
• Meter: 4. 10 10. 10 4
• Key: A♭ Major