1 Swiftly the years, with their hopes and fears,
With their share of joy and sorrow,
Ever haste away, and the parting day
Seems to sigh for the coming morrow.
Hearts may ache, and hearts may break,
Friends may die and terrors wake,
And our visions seem appalling;
While the tide of time shall roll,
Pangs of grief may whelm the soul,
’Midst the darkness ’round us falling,
Refrain:
For the years must come and go,
And the streams of sorrow flow;
Till beyond the dark, dark river;
There will be no fleeting years;
There will be no sighs or tears,
But a feast of joy forever!
2 Happiest hours, like the blooming flowers,
Pass away we know not whither;
And with aching heart, with the loved we part,
Earthly hopes like the blossoms wither.
While the days shall come and go,
Let us banish human woe,
Let us dry the tears of anguish;
Let us comfort those who grieve,
Daily striving to relieve,
Faint and weary ones who languish. [Refrain]
3 Happy the days which in grateful praise,
We rejoicing spend together;
But a happier time in a brighter clime
Shall be ours, and be ours forever.
And the time is drawing nigh,
As the days are going by,
Days that find no fond returning;
Let us haste the heav’nly way,
Let us ever watch and pray,
While the lamp of life is burning. [Refrain]
Source: The Cyber Hymnal #14279