Indexes for The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition
136 Morality
Tune:
Words: Hannah More
Meter: 11s (11,11,11,11)
While beauty and youth are in their full prime,
And folly and fashion affect our whole time,
Oh, let not the phantom wishes engage;
Let’s live so in youth that we blush not in age.
I sigh not for beauty, nor languish for wealth,
But grant me, kind Providence, virtue and health;
Then, richer than kings, and far happier than they,
My days shall pass swiftly and sweetly away.
The vain and the young may attend us a while,
But let not their flatt’ry our prudence beguile.
Let’s covet those charms that shall never decay,
Nor listen to all that deceivers say.
And folly and fashion affect our whole time,
Oh, let not the phantom wishes engage;
Let’s live so in youth that we blush not in age.
I sigh not for beauty, nor languish for wealth,
But grant me, kind Providence, virtue and health;
Then, richer than kings, and far happier than they,
My days shall pass swiftly and sweetly away.
The vain and the young may attend us a while,
But let not their flatt’ry our prudence beguile.
Let’s covet those charms that shall never decay,
Nor listen to all that deceivers say.