Scripture Verse

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matthew 24:42

Introduction

Words: John Mc­Pher­son, in Jew­els of Praise for Re­li­gious As­sem­blies (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: J. M. Rus­sell, 1881).

Music: Hua­tul­co John F. Kin­sey, Pearls and Dia­monds (La­fay­ette, In­di­ana: Echo Mu­sic, 1892), num­ber 36 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

Lyrics

I know not how soon God will call me,
To leave all these scenes here below;
Here trials and troubles befall me,
I care not how soon I may go.

Refrain

I’m glad that I know not the coming
Of Je­sus, my Mas­ter, my joy;
But soon He will take me from roaming,
To rest where no fears can annoy.

Tonight the death angel may whisper
The summons for me to come home;
And leave here a brother or sister,
My sudden departure to mourn.

Refrain

I know not how soon I’ll be singing
Sweet songs with the ransomed up there;
For ever the anthems are ringing,
O’er Hea­ven’s dear landscape so fair.

Refrain