1 When the work of life is ended,
And the judgment day appears,
When you stand before the Master
To account for all the years;
When the righteous Judge shall call you
And your record-leaves unroll,
Will you tremble with the sinners,
Or will rapture thrill your soul?
Refrain:
Which will it be? Rapture or woe?
This you must know. Which will it be?
2 When the nations all are gathered
In the presence of the King,
On that day of days, my brother,
Will you sigh, or will you sing?
Will the light of hope be shining
Like a radiant morning star?
Or will deep remorse assail you
When you stand before the bar? [Refrain]
3 If your soul is now in bondage,
Ask the Lord to set you free;
Do not wait another moment—
Opportunity may flee;
Oh, it lies with you, my brother,
It is your alone to say
Whether joy or woe shall meet you
On the awful judgment day. [Refrain]
Source: The Cyber Hymnal #14767
Pseudonym: James S. Apple.
James Rowe was born in England in 1865. He served four years in the Government Survey Office, Dublin Ireland as a young man. He came to America in 1890 where he worked for ten years for the New York Central & Hudson R.R. Co., then served for twelve years as superintendent of the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society. He began writing songs and hymns about 1896 and was a prolific writer of gospel verse with more than 9,000 published hymns, poems, recitations, and other works.
Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company, 1916) Go to person page >
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