Why stand ye here all the day idle?
Matthew 20:6
Words: John B. Mulford, in Harvest Bells No. 1 (Cincinnati, Ohio: John Church, 1887).
Music: Andorra William E. Penn, 1887 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Mulford (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Sinner, why so idly standing,
By the market place,
While the Lord, your heart demanding,
Calls you by His grace?
Life is in the rosy morning,
Toils and cares are light,
Do not wait, the message scorning;
Turn to Christ tonight.
Jesus calls again in kindness,
Speaks in tenderest tone,
To your soul, so full of blindness,
Weary, sad and lone.
Life is in the golden midday,
Half your years are sped,
Mercy cannot warn you alway;
O to peace be led.
Still again the invitation
Comes in heav’nly love,
Telling of a free salvation,
And a home above.
Life is in the crimson twilight,
Cometh fast the gloom;
Soon the bells will toll the midnight,
Then the changeless doom.
Now the last sweet message soundeth,
O so earnestly,
Proving still that grace aboundeth,
Lost one, come to Me.
Life is in the solemn midnight,
’Tis the last appeal;
Yield your heart, subdued and contrite,
Ere remorse you feel.
Then, alas, the final parting,
For eternal years,
While from every eyelid starting
Fall the blinding tears;
Part without a hope of meeting,
Parent, child or friend,
Never more to hear a greeting,
Nor a message send.