The Cyber Hymnal ‎#685

685. Building for Eternity (Sargent)

1. We are building in sorrow or joy,
A temple the world may not see,
Which time cannot mar nor destroy:
We build for eternity.

Refrain
We are building every day
A temple the world may not see,
Building, building every day,
Building for eternity.

2. Every thought that we’ve ever had,
Its own little place has filled;
Every deed we have done, good or bad,
Is a stone in the temple we build. [Refrain]

3. Every word that so lightly falls,
Giving some heart joy or pain,
Will shine in our temple walls,
Or ever its beauty stain. [Refrain]

4. Are you building for God alone?
Are you building in faith and love
A temple the Father will own,
In the city of light above? [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: We are building in sorrow or joy
• Title: Building for Eternity (Sargent)
• Author: N. B. Sargent (1887)
• Refrain First Line: We are building every day
• Language: English
• Source: Sacred Songs No. 1, by Ira D. Sankey, James McGranahan & George C. Stebbins (New York: The Biglow & Main Company, 1896), number 176, with an 1887 copyright by Daniel B. Towner
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: [We are building in sorrow or joy]
• Composer: N. B. Sargent (1887)
• Incipit: 12333 32134 55511
• Key: E Major
• Copyright: Public Domain