1 Go, watch and pray: thou canst not tell
How near thine hour may be;
Thou canst not know how soon the bell
May toll its notes for thee:
Death's countless snares beset thy way;
Frail child of dust! go, watch and pray.

2 Fond youth, while free from blighting care,
Does thy firm pulse beat high?
Do hope's glad visions, bright and fair,
Dilate before thine eye?
Soon these must change--must pass away;
Frail child of dust! go, watch and pray.

2 Thou aged man! life's wintry storm
Hath seared thy vernal bloom;
With trembling limbs and wasting form,
Thou 'rt bending o'er the tomb;
And can vain hope lead thee astray?
Go, weary pilgrim! watch and pray.

4 Ambition, stop thy panting breath!
Pride, sink thy lifted eye!
Behold the caverns, dark with death,
Before you open lie;
The heavenly warning now obey;
Ye sons of pride, go, watch and pray.