[Music]
I sing a song which doth belong
To all the human race,
Concerning death which steals the breath
And blasts the comely face.
Come listen all unto my call
Which I do make to day,
For you must die as well as I,
And pass from hence away.
No human power can stop the hour
Wherein a mortal dies;
A Caesar may be great today,
Yet death will close his eyes.
Though some do strive and do arrive
To riches and renown,
Enjoying health and swim in wealth,
Yet death will bring them down.
Though beauty grace your comely face
With roses white and red,
A dying fall will spoil it all,
For Absalom is dead.
Though you acquire the best attire,
Appearing fine and fair,
Yet death will come into the room
And strip you naked there.
The princes high and beggars die
And mingle with the dust,
The rich, the brave, the negro slave,
The wicked and the just.
Therefore prepare to meet thy God
Before it be too late,
Or else you'll weep, lament and cry,
Lost in a ruin'd state.
William Walker claims this song. See 'Church's Desolation', a variant
of the tune, for source references. See also 'Sweet William and Lady
Margery' (Wyman and Brockway, p. 94) for a secular tune variant.
No. 30
CONDESCENSION, GOS 656