1 How long shall earth's alluring toys
Detain our hearts and eyes,
Regardless of immortal joys,
And strangers to the skies?

2 These transient scenes will soon decay,
They fade upon the sight;
And quickly will their brightest day
Be lost in endless night.

3 Their brightest day, alas, how vain!
With conscious sighs we own;
While clouds of sorrow, care and pain
O'ershade the smiling noon.

4 O could our thoughts and wishes fly,
Above these gloomy shades,
To those bright worlds beyond the sky
Which sorrow ne'er invades.

5 There joys unseen by mortal eyes,
Or reason's feeble ray,
In ever blooming prospects rise,
Unconscious of decay.

6 Lord, send a beam of light divine,
To guide our upward aim!
With one reviving touch of thine,
Our languid hearts inflame.

7 Then shall, on faith's sublimest wing
Our ardent wishes rise
To those bright scenes, where pleasures spring
Immortal in the skies.