Haste, haste, the clouds arise

1 Haste, haste, the clouds arise;
Stay not in danger's path;
They gather up the frowning skies,
Like messengers of wrath.
Behold the ark of safety near,
Be warn'd of God, be moved by fear.

2 See how the lightnings leap,
Exulting thunders shout,
Rebellious man from earth to sweep,
The foes of God to rout:
The door of mercy yet is wide,
Go, sinner, in the ark abide.

3 Behold the dark'ning gloom,
The skies send out a sound,
Unthinking man, the signs of doom
Are gathering thick around;
Go, seek for safety while you may,
The ark is waiting--come away.

4 Already streams descend
Of condemnation dread;
Oh! who will thee from wrath defend
Who screen thy guilty head?
The ark, the ark alone can save
Poor sinking souls from death's dark wave.

5 Haste, haste to seek its door,
The storm is coming fast;
To-day a refuge there secure:
To-day may be the last;
Brave not the fury of the flood,
But rest thee in the ark of God.

6 That ark will hear thee up,
O'er sin and danger's sea,
And land at last on Zion's top,
Where dangers cease to be:
Come in, bewilder'd soul, come in;
Be safe from fear, and cease to sin.

7 Here rest thee, weary soul--
Let torrents from the skies
Adown the sinking mountains roll,
Let oceans foaming rise:
The ark, the ark, will pass them o'er,
And land thee safe on Canaan's shore.

Source: The Minstrel of Zion: a book of religious songs, accompanied with appropriate music, chiefly original #54a