The Wages of Sin

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I have labored for thee, O sin

Author: William J. Kirkpatrick
Tune: [I have labored for thee, O sin]
Published in 8 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 I have labored for thee, O sin,
With energy, night and day,
Now what shall I have for my reward,
And what is my utmost pay?

Refrain:
“The wages of sin is death,”
All that is promised, you know,—
Nothing but death, eternal death,
Bitter remorse and woe.

2 But I’ve given my youth and strength,
My talents and time to thee,
I have bartered away my words of truth,
And nothing remains to me. [Refrain]

3 I have slighted the voice of God,
And stifled my conscience too;
I have done despite to the Spirit’s power,
In striving thy work to do. [Refrain]

4 I have severed the ties of earth,
And ruined my hopes of heaven,
And only for thee I’ve lived and toiled,
And now, what reward is given? [Refrain]

Source: The Ark of Praise #65

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Author: William J. Kirkpatrick

William J. Kirkpatrick (b. Duncannon, PA, 1838; d. Philadelphia, PA, 1921) received his musical training from his father and several other private teachers. A carpenter by trade, he engaged in the furniture business from 1862 to 1878. He left that profession to dedicate his life to music, serving as music director at Grace Methodist Church in Philadelphia. Kirkpatrick compiled some one hundred gospel song collections; his first, Devotional Melodies (1859), was published when he was only twenty-one years old. Many of these collections were first published by the John Hood Company and later by Kirkpatrick's own Praise Publishing Company, both in Philadelphia. Bert Polman Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	I have labored for thee, O sin
Title:	The Wages of Sin
Author:	William J. Kirkpatrick
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	The wages of sin is death
Copyright:	Public Domain