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Hatfield 327
Tune: William Billings, 1793; Arranged by Benjamin Franklin White, 1850
Alto: John Malcolm Cruse Shaw, 1902
Lyrics: Isaac Watts, 1719
Meter: Common Meter Double (8,6,8,6,8,6,8,6)
Naked as from the earth we came,
And crept to life at first,
We to the earth return again
And mingle with our dust.
The dear delights we here enjoy,
And fondly call our own,
Are but short favors borrowed now
To be repaid anon.
'Tis God that lifts our comforts high,
Or sinks them in the grave;
He gives, and blessed be His name!
He takes but what He gave.
If smiling mercy crown our lives,
Its praises shall be spread;
And we'll adore the justice, too,
That strikes our comforts dead.