To live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21
Words: George W. Bethune, 1847.
Music: Immortal Love David Brüning, 1916 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Brüning (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
O Jesus, when I think of Thee,
Thy manger, cross, and throne,
My spirit trusts exultingly
In Thee, and Thee alone.
For me Thou didst become a man,
For me didst weep and die;
For me achieve Thy wondrous plan
For me ascend on high.
O let me share Thy holy birth,
Thy faith, Thy death to sin;
And strong, amidst the toils of earth,
My heavenly life begin.
Then shall I know what means the strain
Triumphant of Saint Paul:
To live is Christ, to die is gain
;
Christ is my All in all.