How short and hasty is our life!
How vast our souls' affairs!
Yet senseless mortals vainly strive
To lavish out their years

Our days run thoughtlessly along
Without a moment's stay;
Just like a story or a song
We pass our lives away

God from on high invites us home
But we march heedless on
And ever hastening to the tomb
Stoop downwards as we run

How we deserve the deepest hell
That slight the joys above!
What chains of vengeance should we feel
That break such cords of love!

Draw us, O God, with sovereign grace
And lift our thoughts on high
That we may end this mortal racе
And see salvation nigh