The world is grown old, and her pleasures are past

Representative Text

1 The world is grown old, and her pleasures are past;
The world is grown old, and her form may not last;
The world is grown old, and trembles for fear;
For sorrows abound, and judgment is near!

2 The sun in the heaven is languid and pale,
And feeble and few are the fruits of the vale;
The hearts of the nations all fail them for fear,
The world is grown old, and judgment is near!

3 The king on his throne, the bride in her bower,
The children of pleasure all feel the sad hour;
The roses are faded, and tasteless the cheer,
The world is grown old, and judgment is near!

4 The world is grown old, but should we complain?
We tried her and know that her promises are vain.
Our heart is in Heaven, our home is not here:
We look for our crown when judgment is near!

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #1404

Author: Reginald Heber

Reginald Heber was born in 1783 into a wealthy, educated family. He was a bright youth, translating a Latin classic into English verse by the time he was seven, entering Oxford at 17, and winning two awards for his poetry during his time there. After his graduation he became rector of his father's church in the village of Hodnet near Shrewsbury in the west of England where he remained for 16 years. He was appointed Bishop of Calcutta in 1823 and worked tirelessly for three years until the weather and travel took its toll on his health and he died of a stroke. Most of his 57 hymns, which include "Holy, Holy, Holy," are still in use today. -- Greg Scheer, 1995… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: The world is grown old, and her pleasures are past
Author: Reginald Heber
Copyright: Public Domain

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The Cyber Hymnal #1404
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The Cyber Hymnal #1404

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