I cannot be idle, for Je­sus says, Go
And work in My har­vest to­day;
And then at the ev­en­ing when la­bor is done,
Whatever is right I will pay.

Refrain

Then away to the work I will go
And join in the reap­ing of grain,
And back from the har­vest with beau­ti­ful sheaves
I’ll come with re­joic­ing again.

I can­not be idle, the fields are so white,
And num­ber­less sheaves will be lost;
They per­ish for want of more reap­ers to save—
How aw­ful to think of the cost!

Refrain

I can­not be idle, soon time will be o’er,
And reap­ing be end­ed for aye;
I’ll ga­ther the lost from the by­ways of sin
To walk in the beau­ti­ful way.

Refrain

I can­not be idle, no time for re­pose,
My rest­ing shall be ov­er there,
Where all of the faith­ful in Hea­ven above
A crown of bright glo­ry shall wear.

Refrain