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* Index of the First Line of Each Stanza, the Fifth Line of Eight Line Stanzas, and the First Line of the Chorus
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Prospect 30b

The Sacred Harp, 1991 (Denson) Edition

Composer: Graham, 1835
Alto: William Walker, 1866
Poet: Isaac Watts, 1707
Meter: Long Meter (8,8,8,8)
Stanza Poetry Source by First Line
1
Why should we start and fear to die?
What tim'rous worms we mortals are!
Death is the gate to endless joy,
And yet we dread to enter there.


Why should we start, and fear to die?, Stanza 1
2
The pains, the groans, the dying strife,
Fright our approaching souls away;
And we shrink back again to life,
Fond of our prison and our clay.


Why should we start, and fear to die?, Stanza 2
3
Oh if my Lord would come and meet,
My soul would stretch her wings in haste,
Fly fearless through death's iron gate,
Nor feel the terrors as she passed.


Why should we start, and fear to die?, Stanza 3
4
Jesus can make a dying bed
Feel soft as downy pillows are;
While on His breast I lean my head,
And breathe my life out sweetly there.


Why should we start, and fear to die?, Stanza 4