Be…ready.
Luke 12:40
Words: J. Wenhaupt Slaughenhaupt, in Francis Murphy’s Gospel Temperance Hymnal, by Jeremiah E. Rankin & Edmund Lorenz (New York: A. S. Barnes, 1878).
Music: Edmund S. Lorenz (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Slaughenhaupt (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Soon the evening shadows falling
Close the day of mortal life;
Soon the hand of death appalling
Draws thee from its weary strife.
Refrain
Are you ready? Are you ready?
’Tis the Spirit calling, why delay?
Are you ready? Are you ready?
Do not linger longer, come today.
Soon the awful trumpet sounding
Calls thee to the judgment throne;
Now prepare, for love abounding
Yet has left thee not alone.
Refrain
Oh, how fatal ’tis to linger!
Art thou ready—ready now?
Ready, should death’s icy finger
Lay its chill upon thy brow?
Refrain
Priceless love and free salvation
Freely still are offered thee;
Yield no longer to temptation,
But from sin and sorrow flee.
Refrain