Watch and Pray

Verse 1

Go, watch and pray: thou canst not tell How near thine hour may be; Thou canst not know how soon the bell May toll its notes for thee: Death's countless snares beset thy way; Frail child of dust! go, watch and pray.

Verse 2

Fond youth, while free from blighting care, Does thy firm pulse beat high? Do hope's glad visions, bright and fair, Dilate before thine eye? Soon these must change--must pass away; Frail child of dust! go, watch and pray.

Verse 3

Thou aged man! life's wintry storm Hath seared thy vernal bloom; With trembling limbs and wasting form, Thou 'rt bending o'er the tomb; And can vain hope lead thee astray? Go, weary pilgrim! watch and pray.

Verse 4

Ambition, stop thy panting breath! Pride, sink thy lifted eye! Behold the caverns, dark with death, Before you open lie; The heavenly warning now obey; Ye sons of pride, go, watch and pray.