BRIEF LIFE IS HERE OUR PORTION
"Here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." Hebrews
13:14
Words: Bernard of Morlaix, 12th Century; translated from Latin to
English by John Mason Neale, Rhythm of Bernard of Morlaix, Monk of
Cluny, 1858.
Music: "St. Alphege," Henry John Gauntlett, 1852.
Alternate tune: * "Hic Breve Vivitur," A. Pettet, circa 1815.
Brief life is here our portion;
Brief sorrow, short lived care;
The life that knows no ending,
The tearless life, is there.
O happy retribution!
Short toil, eternal rest;
For mortals and for sinners
A mansion with the blest!
And now we fight the battle,
But then shall wear the crown
Of full and everlasting
And passionless renown.
And now we watch and struggle,
And now we live in hope,
And Zion in her anguish
With Babylon must cope.
But He, Whom now we trust in,
Shall then be seen and known;
And they that know and see Him
Shall have Him for their own.
The morning shall awaken,
The shadows shall decay,
And each truehearted servant
Shall shine as doth the day.
There God, our King and Portion,
In fullness of His grace,
Shall we behold forever,
And worship face to face.
O sweet and blessèd country,
The home of God's elect!
O sweet and blessèd country,
That eager hearts expect!
Jesu, in mercy bring us,
To that dear land of rest;
Who art, with God the Father,
And Spirit, ever blest.