Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2
Words: Isaac Watts, Horæ Lyricæ, 1705, Book 1, page 82.
Music: Elven Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847). Arranged by William Dressler (1826–1914) (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good photo of Dressler (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Dead be my heart to all below,
To mortal joys and mortal cares,
To sensual bliss that charms us so,
Be dark, my eyes, and deaf, my ears.
Here I renounce my carnal taste
Of the fair fruit that sinners prize:
Their paradise shall never waste
One thought of mine, but to despise.
All earthly joys are overweighed
With mountains of vexatious care;
And where’s the sweet that is not laid
A bait to some destructive snare?
Be gone for ever, mortal things!
Thou mighty mole-hill, earth, farewell!
Angels aspire on lofty wings,
And leave the globe for ants to dwell.
Come, Heav’n, and fill my vast desires,
My soul pursues the sovereign good;
She was all made of heav’nly fires,
Nor can she live on meaner food.