Scripture Verse

While it is daytime, we must continue doing the work of the One who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. John 9:4

Introduction

Words: Ma­ry Tor­rence, in The Tree of Life, ed­it­ed by Will­iam Per­kins & A. By­ron Con­do (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: G. D. Rus­sell, 1878), page 102.

Music: Wig­gles­worth Will­iam O. Per­kins, 1878 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Tor­rence or Per­kins (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Work while it is day, the Mas­ter did com­mand;
Time floats fast away, oh, work with heart and hand.
Evening shades are fall­ing, night comes swift­ly on;
Us to work He’s call­ing, ere the day is gone.

Refrain

Work while it is day, time floats fast away;
Night is com­ing on, the day will soon be gone.

Work while it is day, the sun is sink­ing fast;
His bright beam­ing ray will soon be ov­er­past.
Listen what he’s say­ing, as he sinks to rest,
Mortal, why de­lay­ing? View the gold­en west.

Refrain

Work while it is day, it will not all be done;
Labor as we may, un­til the set­ting sun.
Work un­til the gleam­ing of the gold­en day;
Time is fast re­ced­ing, soon twill pass away.

Refrain