1 The pearl that worldlings covet
Is not the pearl for me,
Its beauty fades as quickly
As sunshine on the sea;
But there's a pearl sought by the wise,
It's call'd the pearl of greatest price:
Though few its value see,
Oh! that's the pearl for me,
Oh! that's the pearl for me,
Oh! that's the pearl for me.

2 The crown that decks the monarch
Is not the crown for me;
It dazzles but a moment,
Its brightness soon will flee;
But there's a crown prepared above
For all who walk in humble love,
For ever bright 'twill be--
Oh! that's the crown for me.

3 The road that many travel,
Is not the road for me:
It leads to death and sorrow,
In it I would not be.
But there's a road that leads to God,
It's mark'd by Christ's most precious blood:
The passage here is free--
Oh! that's the road for me.

4 The hope that sinners cherish,
Is not the hope for me;
Most surely will they perish,
Unless from sin made free.
But there's a hope which rests in God,
And leads the soul to keep his word
And sinful pleasures flee--
Oh! that's the hope for me.