I Know That I Must Die

( Originally Published 1868 )

FROM THE GERMAN OF B. SCHMOLKE

MY GOD ! I know that I must die,
My mortal life is passing hence ;
On earth I neither hope nor try
To find a lasting residence.
Then teach me, by thy heavenly grace,
With joy and peace my death to face.

My God ! I know not when I die,
What is the moment, or the hour,
How soon the clay may broken lie,
How quickly pass away the flower ;
Then may thy child prepared be
Through time to meet eternity.

My God ! I know not how I die,
For death has many ways to come,
In dark, mysterious agony,
Or gently as a sleep to some.
Just as thou wilt ! if but I be
For ever blessed, Lord, with thee.

My God ! I know not where I die,
Where is my grave, beneath what strand,
Yet from its goom I do rely
To be delivered by thy hand. Content,
I take what spot is mine,
Since all the earth, my Lord, is thine.