This Life's a dream, an empty show

This life's a dream, an empty show

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 41 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 This life's a dream, an empty show;
But the bright world to which I go
Hath joys substantial and sincere;
When shall I wake and find me there?

2 O glorious hour! O blest abode!
I shall be near and like my God,
And flesh and sense no more control
The sacred pleasures of the soul.

3 My flesh shall slumber in the ground
Till the last trumpet's joyful sound;
Then burst the chains with sweet surprise,
And in my Saviour's image rise.

Hymnal: according to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, 1871

Author: Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: This life's a dream, an empty show
Title: This Life's a dream, an empty show
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

This life's a dream, an empty show. Part of “Lord, I am Thine, but Thou wilt prove," p. 689, i.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 41 of 41)

Sacred Melodies #d119

The Christian Minstrel #d327

A New and Beautiful Collection of Select Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d312

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Christian Hymns #359

Die neue Harmonie, oder eine Neue Sammlung von Kirken-Musik #d110

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Dupuy's Hymns and Spiritual Songs (Rev. corr. and enl.) #124

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Hymnal and Canticles of the Protestant Episcopal Church with Music (Gilbert & Goodrich) #96

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Hymnal #96

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Hymnal #96

Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Selected and Original. 7th ed. #d437

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Hymns for the Church of Christ (3rd thousand) #821

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Hymns for the Church of Christ. (6th thousand) #821

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Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #359

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Selah #276

Select Melodies, comprising the Best of Those Hymns and Spiritual Songs in Common Use #d240

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Social and Campmeeting Songs For the Pious (4th ed.) #28

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Songs of Zion #45

Templi Carmina #d250

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The American Vocalist #28

The Christian Minstrel #d287

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The Christian's Harp #A50

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The Church Hymnal with Canticles #96

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The Hymnal #96

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The Primitive Baptist Hymnal #49

The Sacred Melodeon #d100

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The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion (New ed. thoroughly rev. and much enl.) #295

The Union Harp and Revival Chorister. Rev ed. #d391

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The Wesleyan Sacred Harp #42

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The Wesleyan Sacred Harp #42

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The Middlesex Collection of Church Music #111

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American Psalmody #150a

The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion. New ed. #295

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The Voice of melody #18b

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Social and Camp-meeting Songs, for the Pious (9th ed. enl.) #28

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