Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians ‎#74

74. The Tolling Bell

1 Oft as the bell with solemn toll,
Speaks the departure of a soul,
Let each one ask himself, "Am I
Prepar'd, should I be call'd to die?"

2 Only this frail and fleeting breath
Preserves me with the jaws of death;
Soon as it fails, at once I'm gone,
And plung'd into a world unknown.

3 Then leaving all I lov'd below,
To God's tribunal I must go;
Must hear the Judge pronounce my fate,
And fix my everlasting state.

4 But could I bear to hear him say,
"Depart, accursed, far away!
With Satan, in the lowest hell,
Thou art forever doom'd to dwell."

5 Lord Jesus! help me now to flee,
And seek my hope alone in thee;
Apply thy blood, thy spirit give,
Subdue my sin, and let me live.

6 Then, when the solemn bell I hear,
If sav'd from guilt I need not fear;
Now would the thought distressing be,
Perhaps it next may toll for me.

7 Rather my spirit would rejoice,
And long and wish to hear thy voice;
Glad when it bids me earth resign,
Secure of heav'n if thou art mine.

Text Information

• First Line: Oft as the bell with solemn toll
• Title: The Tolling Bell
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1803
• Notes: Public Domain.

Tune Information

(No tune information)