1 Why stand ye here idle?
The householder said;
Go work in my vineyard,
And ye shall be paid:
"No person hath hired us,"
They answering say;
And then to their labor
Quickly they haste away.

Chorus:
"Go work in my vineyard,
Our Savior doth say;
Why stand ye here idle,
Why longer delay?
"Go work in my vineyard,"
Our Savior doth say;
"Why stand ye here idle
Thro'out the long bright day?"

2 Why stand ye here idle?
Our Lord doth inquire;
Who works in his vineyard,
He giveth his hire:
Then speed to your labor,
Go every one;
The moments are passing,
And there is much to be done. [Chorus]

3 Why stand ye here idle?
The lab'rers are few;
Oh haste to the harvest!
'Tis ready for you:
Go thrust in your sickle,
And reap with your might;
Each sheaf should be gathered,
Ere we behold the night. [Chorus]

4 Alas! for the idlers,
Lamenting at last;
"The summer is ended,
The harvest is past:
The heat and the burden,
The reapers have braved;
Our work is unfinished
Still, and our souls unsaved." [Chorus]