1 Jesus! when my soul is parting
From this body frail and weak,
And the deathly dew is starting
Down this pale and wasted cheek,—
Thine, my Saviour,
Be the name I last shall speak,
Be the name I last shall speak.
2 Jesus! when my mem’ry wanders
Far from loved ones at my side,
And in fitful dreaming ponders
Who are they that near me glide,—
Last, my Saviour,
Let my tho’ts on Thee abide,
Let my tho’ts on Thee abide.
3 When the morn in all its glory
Charms no more mine ear or eye,
And the shadows closing o’er me
Warn me of the time to die,—
Last, my Saviour,
Let me see Thee standing by,
Let me see Thee standing by.
4 When my feet shall pass the river,
And upon the farther shore
I shall walk, redeem’d forever,
Ne’er to sin—to die no more,—
First, Lord Jesus!
Let me see Thee, and adore,
Let me see Thee, and adore.
Source: The Helper in Sacred Song: for Sunday-schools, churches, and devotional services #53
Mackellar, Thomas, was born in New York, Aug. 12, 1812. At the age of 14 he entered the printing establishment of Harper Brothers. In 1833 he removed to Philadelphia and joined the type-foundry firm of Johnson & Smith, as proof reader. He subsequently became a foreman, and then a partner in that firm, which has been known from 1860 as Mackellar, Smiths, and Jordan, type-founders of Philadelphia. His publications include The American Printer, 1866, a prose work, and the following in verse:—
(1) Droppings from the Heart, 1844; (2) Tam's Fortnight Ramble, 1847; (3) Lines for the Gentle and Loving, 1853; (4) Rhymes Atween Times, 1872. The last contains some of his hymns. (5) Hymns and a few Metrical Psalms, Phila. 1883 (71 hymns, 3 psalms… Go to person page >
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