
Author: James Montgomery Meter: 8.6.8.6 Appears in 7 hymnals First Line: A year, another year is fled Lyrics:
1 A year, another year is fled;
Its issues who can tell?
Millions of voices of the dead
Reply from Heav’n or hell.
2 All these were living at the birth
Of the departed year;
They all have vanished from the earth,
We fill their places here.
3 Though to the eye, the ear, the mind
Of man their speech is sealed,
Th’eternal meaning each may find,
In two plain words revealed.
4 Lost spirits, from the dark abyss,
Cry mournfully "Beware!"
Spirits in glory, and in bliss,
Sing joyfully "Prepare!"
5 Thus timely warned, and moved with fear,
Of wrath, let us beware;
For life or death, in this new year,
For earth and Heav’n prepare.
6 Who then of those with us, this day
In childhood, youth, or age,
"To love the Lord our God" can say
"We all our hearts engage."
Used With Tune: LAMBETH Text Sources: Original Hymns for Public, Private and Social Devotion, (London: Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans:1853
A Bygone Year