What Are We For?

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Why have we lips, if not to sing

Author: Anonymous
Published in 33 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Why have we lips, if not to sing
The praises of our heav’nly king?
Why have we hearts, if not to love,
Our Father and our friend above?

Refrain:
What are we for? What are we for?
What are we for?
What are we for, but to serve the Lord,
With every deed, and thought and word?

2 Why were our curious bodies made,
And every part in order laid?
Why, but that each of us might stand
A living wonder from His hand? [Refrain]

3 Why have we souls, if not to know
The God from whom our mercies flow?
Sure this can never be our lot,
Like senseless brutes, to know Him not! [Refrain]

4 Why have we life? If not to gain
Immortal life, ’tis worse than vain;
This is the end for which ’twas giv’n—
We live on earth, to live in Heav’n. [Refrain]

5 Why did the Savior leave the sky,
Hang on a cross, and bleed and die?
And why are kind persuasions sent
To call and win us to repent? [Refrain]

6 Surely it is—that robed in white
And made well-pleasing in His sight,
Our souls may join the happy throng,
And sing the everlasting song. [Refrain]

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #13190

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Author: Anonymous

In some hymnals, the editors noted that a hymn's author is unknown to them, and so this artificial "person" entry is used to reflect that fact. Obviously, the hymns attributed to "Author Unknown" "Unknown" or "Anonymous" could have been written by many people over a span of many centuries. Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	Why have we lips, if not to sing
Title:	What Are We For?
Author:	Anonymous
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	What are we for?
Copyright:	Public Domain