Scripture Verse

Why will ye die? Ezekiel 18:31

Introduction

Words: Mrs. W. L. Brown, in Joy­ful Sound, ed­it­ed by John Swe­ney & Will­iam J. Kirk­pat­rick (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: John J. Hood, 1889), page 84.

Music: John R. Swe­ney (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Brown’s full name, or where to get a good pho­to of her (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
John R. Sweney (1837–1899)

Lyrics

Oh, why do you linger yet longer?
O sinner, to Je­sus draw nigh;
The Sav­ior is lovingly calling,
Dear sinner, oh, why will you die?

Refrain

Why linger, why linger,
While mercy is nigh?
Why linger, why linger?
Oh, why will ye die?

The pleasures of earth are deluding,
They soon, ah, they soon pass away;
Thy grasp they are often eluding,
And then, yes, ah, then they decay.

Refrain

The darkness of death will o’ertake you,
And life with its pleasures be gone;
The hopes that have cheered will forsake you,
And leave you in darkness forlorn.

Refrain

Then look to the Sav­ior for mercy,
You’ve only to look and be­lieve;
His arms are extended to save you;
He lovingly waits to receive.

Refrain