Scripture Verse

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. Psalm 103:15–16

Introduction

Words: Ano­ny­mous, in Songs and So­los Used by the Chris­tian Cru­sa­ders in Their Sp­ecial Soul-Sa­ving Work, by Mil­ton K. Light (Wor­ces­ter, Mas­sa­chu­setts: Head­quar­ters of Chris­tian Cru­sa­ders, 1892).

Music: Will­iam J. Kirk­pat­rick, 1885 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
William J. Kirkpatrick (1838–1921)

Lyrics

Life at best is very brief,
Like the falling of a leaf,
Like the binding of a sheaf,
Be in time.
Fleeting days are telling fast
That the die will soon be cast,
And the fatal line be passed,
Be in time.

Refrain

Be in time, be in time,
While the voice of Je­sus calls you, be in time.
If in sin you longer wait,
You may find no open gate,
And your cry be just too late, be in time.

Fairest flowers soon decay,
Youth and beauty pass away,
Oh, you have not long to stay,
Be in time.
While God’s Spi­rit bids you come,
Sinner, do no longer roam,
Lest you seal your helpless doom,
Be in time.

Refrain

Time is gliding swiftly by,
Death and judg­ment draweth nigh,
To the arms of Je­sus fly,
Be in time.
Oh, I pray you count the cost,
Ere the fatal line be crossed,
And your soul in hell be lost,
Be in time.

Refrain

Sinner, heed the warning voice,
Make the Lord your final choice,
Then all Hea­ven will rejoice,
Be in time.
Come from darkness into light,
Come, let Je­sus make you right,
Come, and start for Heav’n tonight,
Be in time.

Refrain