The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago

1 There was a time, I know,
When in the book of heaven,
An old account was standing
For sins yet unforgiven;
My name was at the top
And many things below,
I went unto the Keeper,
And settled long ago.

Refrain:
Long ago, long ago,
Yes, the old account was settled long ago;
And the record’s clear today,
For He washed my sins away,
When the old account was settled long ago.

2 The old account was large,
And growing every day,
For I was always sinning,
And never tried to pay;
But when I looked ahead
And saw such pain and woe,
I said that I would settle,
And settled long ago. [Refrain]

3 When at the judgment bar
I stand before my King,
And He the book will open,
He cannot find a thing;
Then will my heart be glad,
While tears of joy will flow,
Because I had it settled,
And settled long ago. [Refrain]

4 O sinner, seek the Lord,
Repent of all your sin;
For thus He has commanded,
If you would enter in;
And then if you should live
A hundred years below,
E'en here you’ll not regret it,
You settled long ago. [Refrain]


Source: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #406