On what are you build­ing, my bro­ther,
Your hopes of an eter­nal home?
Is it loose shift­ing sand,
Or the firm sol­id rock,
You are trust­ing for ag­es to come?

Refrain

Hearing and do­ing, we build on the rock;
Hearing alone, we build on the sand;
Both will be tried by the storm and the flood;
Only the rock the tri­al will stand.

On one or the oth­er, my bro­ther,
You are build­ing your hopes day by day;
You are risk­ing your soul
On the works that you do,
Will the dark wa­ters sweep you away?

Refrain

Your Sav­ior has warned you, my bro­ther,
I pray you give heed to His voice;
There is life on the rock,
But death on the sand;
Oh, bro­ther, pray tell me your choice.

Refrain

No mat­ter how care­ful, my bro­ther,
The sand for your house you pre­pare;
’Twill be all swept away
When the floods shall des­cend,
And you be left per­ish­ing there.

Refrain