The Farewell

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Dead be my heart to all below

Author: Isaac Watts
Tune: ELVEN (Mendelssohbn-Bartholdy)
Published in 32 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Dead be my heart to all below,
To mortal joys and mortal cares;
To sensual bliss that charms us so,
Be dark, mine eyes, and deaf my ears.

2 Lord, I renounce my carnal taste
Of the fair fruit that sinners prize;
Their paradise shall never waste
One thought of mine, but to despise.

3 All earthly joy are overweigh'd
With mountains of vexatious care;
And where's the sweet that is not laid
A bait to some destructive snare?

4 Begone, for ever, mortal things!
Thou mighty mole-hill, earth, farewell
Angels aspire of lofty wings,
And leave the globe for ants to dwell.

5 Come, heaven, and fill my vast desires,
My soul pursues the sovereign good;
She was all made of heavenly fires,
Nor can she live on meaner food.

Source: Hymns, Selected and Original: for public and private worship (1st ed.) #93

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Author: Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >

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