I Would Not Live Alway

1I would not live alway; I ask not to stay,
I would not live alway: No—welcome the tomb,

2Where storm af-ter storm ris-es o'er the dark way
Slee-p Je-sus has trod there, I dread not its gloom.

3The few lu-cid mornings that dawn on us here,
There, sweet be my rest, till he bid me a-rise,

4Are enough for life's woes, full enough for its cheer.
To hail him in triumph de-scend-ing the skies.

5Who, who would live alway, away from his God?
Away from yon heaven, that blissful abode,
Where rivers of pleasure flow o'er the bright plains,
And the noon-tide of glory eternally reigns;

6Where saints of all ages in harmony meet,
Their Savior and brethren, transported to greet;
Where anthems of rapture unceasingly roll,
And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul.