"WHAT is life ? 'tis but a vapor ;
Soon it vanishes away ;
Life is but a dying taper ;
my soul, why wish to stay ?
Why not spread thy wings and fly
Straight to yonder world of joy?
See that glory, how resplendent !
Brighter far than fancy paints ;
There, in majesty transcendent,
Jesus reigns, the King of saints ;
Spread thy wings, my soul, and fly
Straight to yonder world of joy.
Joyful crowds his throne surrounding,
Sing, with rapture, of his love ;
Through the heavens his praises sounding,
Filling all the courts above
Spread thy wings, my soul, and fly
Straight to yonder world of joy.
Go and share his people's glory,
'Mid the ransom-crowd appear ;
Thine's a joyful, wondrous story,
One that angels love to hear :
Spread thy wings, my soul, and fly
Straight to yonder world of joy."
