194. Turn Back, O Mortal

1 Turn back, O mortal, quit thy foolish ways.
Old now is earth, and none may count her days,
Yet thou, its child, whose head is crowned with flame
Still wilt not hear thine inner God proclaim,
"Turn back, O mortal, quit thy foolish ways."

2 Earth might be fair, and people glad and wise.
Age after age their tragic empires rise,
Built while they dream, and in that dreaming weep.
Would they but wake from out their haunted sleep,
Earth shall be fair, and people glad and wise.

3 Earth shall be fair, and all its people one,
Nor till that hour shall God's whole will be done!
Now, even now, once more from earth to sky
Peals forth in joy the old, undaunted cry,
"Earth shall be fair, and all its people one."

Text Information
First Line: Turn back, O mortal, quit thy foolish ways
Title: Turn Back, O Mortal
Author: Clifford Bax (1919, alt.)
Alterer: Barbara Olmsted
Meter: 10.10.10.10.10.
Publication Date: 1996
Topic: Community; Human Family; Joy (2 more...)
Tune Information
Name: OLD HUNDRED TWENTY-FOURTH
Composer: Louis Bourgeois (1551)
Meter: 10.10.10.10.10.
Key: F Major



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