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Why Should We Start, and Fear to Die?

Representative Text

1 Why should we start and fear to die?
What tim’rous worms we mortals are!
Death is the gate to endless joy,
And yet we dread to enter there.

2 The pains, the groans, the dying strife,
Fright our approaching souls away;
And we shrink back again to life,
Fond of our prison and our clay.

3 O if my Lord would come and meet,
My soul would stretch her wings in haste,
Fly fearless through death’s iron gate,
Nor feel the terrors as she passed.

4 Jesus can make a dying bed
Feel soft as downy pillows are;
While on His breast I lean my head,
And breathe my life out sweetly there.

Source: The Sacred Harp: the best collection of sacred songs, hymns, odes, and anthems ever offered the singing public for general use (1991 rev.) #30b

Author: Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Why should we start, and fear to die?
Title: Why Should We Start, and Fear to Die?
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (401 - 419 of 419)

The Vestry Harp #d211

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The Vestry Singing Book #147a

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The Virginia Selection of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs #485

TextPage Scan

The Voice of Praise #897

The Wesleyan Harp, a Collection of Hymns and Tunes Suitable for Social Worship. 1st ed. #d156

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The Wesleyan Methodist Hymnal #576

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The Y.M.C.A. Praise Book #56

Triune Hymnal #d193

Two Hundred and Fifty-two Familiar Hymns #d230

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Union Harp and History of Songs #116a

Union Hymns. Rev. #d498

Union Hymns. Rev. #d514

Union Prayer Meeting Hymns #d249

Union Prayer Meeting Hymns #d253

Universalist Hymn Book #d630

Vestry Songs #d235

Virginia Selection of Psalms #d500

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Waters' Choral Harp #93b

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Young Men's Christian Association Hymn and Tune Book #214b

Pages

Exclude 411 pre-1979 instances
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