1 [How full of anguish is the thought, How it distracts and tears my heart If God, at last, my sovereign Judge, Should frown, and bid my soul, "Depart!"]
2 Lord, when I quit this earthly stage, Where shall I fly but to thy breast? For I have sought no other home For I have learn'd no other rest.
3 I cannot live contented here, Without some glimpses of thy face; And heaven without thy presence there Would be a dark and tiresome place.
4 When earthly cares engross the day And hold my thoughts aside from thee, The shining hours of cheerful light Are long and tedious years to me.
5 And if no evening visit's paid Between my Saviour and my soul, How dull the night! how sad the shade! How mournfully the minutes roll!
6 This flesh of mine might learn as soon To live, yet part with all my blood; To breathe when vital air is gone, Or thrive and grow without my food.
7 [Christ is my light, my life, my care, My blessed hope, my heavenly prize, Dearer than all my passions are, My limbs, my bowels, or my eyes.
8 The strings that twine about my heart, Tortures and racks may tear them off, But they can never, never part With their dear hold of Christ my love.]
9 [My God! and can an humble child That loves thee with a flame so high, Be ever from thy face exil'd Without the pity of thine eye?
10 Impossible--For thine own hands Have tied my heart so fast to thee; And in thy book the promise stands, That where thou art thy friends must be.