Scripture Verse

What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: Hal­dor Lil­le­nas, in Al­ex­an­der’s Gos­pel Songs and So­los, ed­it­ed by Charles M. Al­ex­an­der (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Ster­ling Mu­sic, 1917) (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Haldor Lillenas (1885–1959)

Lyrics

If the world and all of its wealth you gain,
If its stores of trea­sures you should ob­tain,
Would they not be use­less and all in vain,
If your soul is lost?
Would they not be use­less and all in vain,
If your soul is lost?

At your feet the world may no rich­es lay,
Will it mat­ter much on the judg­ment day,
If you own a pal­ace or hut of clay,
If your soul is lost?
Will it mat­ter much on the judg­ment day,
If your soul is lost?

If the world should hon­or and fame be­stow,
If un­counted mill­ions your name should know,
How much would it help you down here be­low,
If your soul is lost?
How much would it help you down here be­low,
If your soul is lost?

In the race of sin you are run­ning fast,
And the plea­sures gained but a mo­ment last;
How much will it pro­fit when life is past,
If your soul is lost?
How much will it pro­fit when life is past,
If your soul is lost?