Roll on, roll on, ye waves of trouble, roll,
A Father’s hand supports my fainting head,
Each heavy tide brings nearer to the goal,
And known to God is every tear shed:
Calmly on Jesus’ bosom I recline,
All heaven and earth are mine!
Smile on, smile on, thou vain deceitful world,
Ah, what to me is thine unhallowed mirth?
I’ve seen the banner of the cross unfurl’d,
Weighed in its scales the precious things of earth,
Farewell, vain world, I love the Crucified:
‘Twas here he groaned and died!
Whirl on, whirl on, ye giddy glittering sounds—
Wealth, honor, pleasure, what are ye to me?
Far beyond all that mortal vision bounds,
The Lamb of God upon the throne I see:
Ah, to an eye lit up by glory’s beams,
Things here are fading dreams!
Frown on, frown on, thou bitter, bitter foe,
I do not fear thy power or hellish art,
Thou canst not break the oath of God! oh, no!
Nor canst thou tear me from a Saviour’s heart:
Safe in his arms the Shepherd bears me home,
And I must overcome!
Glide on, glide on, ye days, and months, and years;
Father, I ask but to be spent for thee!
What though I sojourn in a vale of tears,
To live is Christ, to die is gain to me.
Ο God, at what a price thou hast purchased this,
Full cup of endless bliss!