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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

The time is swiftly rolling on

Poet: Berryman T. Hicks, 1835
Meter: Common Meter (8,6,8,6)
Location in The Sacred Harp
Stanza Denson Cooper
1
The time is swiftly rolling on
When I must faint and die;
My body to the dust return,
And there forgotten lie.
The Dying Minister 83b, Stanza 1
The Dying Minister 124b, Stanza 1
2
Let persecution rage around,
And Antichrist appear;
My silent dust beneath the ground;
There's no disturbance there.
The Dying Minister 83b, Stanza 2
The Dying Minister 124b, Stanza 2
3
Thro' heats and colds I've often went,
And wonder'd in despair,
To call poor sinners to repent,
And seek the Saviour dear.

4
My brother preachers, boldly speak,
And stand on Zion's wall,
T' revive the strong, confirm the weak,
And after sinners call.

5
My brother preachers, fare you well,
Your fellowship I love;
In time no more I shall you see
But soon we'll meet above.
The Dying Minister 83b, Stanza 5
6
My little children near my heart,
And nature seems to bind,
It grieves me sorely to depart,
And leave you all behind.

7
O Lord, a father to them be,
And keep them from all harm,
That they may love and worship thee,
And dwell upon thy charms.

8
My loving wife, my bosom friend,
The object of my love,
The time's been sweet I've spent with you,
My sweet and harmless dove.

9
My loving wife, don't grieve for me,
Neither lament nor mourn;
For I shall with my Jesus be,
When you are left alone.

10
How often you have look'd for me,
And ofttimes seen me come;
But now I must depart from thee,
And never more return.

11
For I can never come to thee;
Let this not grieve your heart,
For you will shortly come to me,
Where we shall never part.

Walker, William. The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion: Containing a Choice Collection of Tunes, Hymns, Psalms, Odes, and Anthems: Selected from the Most Eminent Authors in the United States: Together with Nearly One Hundred New Tunes, Which Have Never Before Been Published; Suited to Most of the Metres Contained in Watts's Hymns and Psalms, Mercer's Cluster, Dossey & Choice, Dover Selection, Methodist Hymn Book, and Baptist Harmony; and Well Adapted to Christian Churches of Every Denomination, Singing Schools, and Private Societies; Also, an Easy Introduction to the Grounds of Music, the Rudiments of Music, and Plain Rules for Beginners. Revised Edition. Philadelphia: E. W. Miller, 1854.