Author: Philip Paul Bliss Appears in 11 hymnals First Line: "I should like to die," said Willie Lyrics: 1 "I should like to die," said Willie,
"If my Papa could die, too;
But he says he isn’t ready,
’Cause he has so much to do;
And my little sister Nellie
Says that I must surely die,
And that she and Mama—
Then she stopped,
Because it made me cry.
And that she and Mama—
Then she stopped,
Because it made me cry."
2 "But she told me, I remember,
Once while sitting on her knee,
That the angels never weary,
Watching over her and me;
And that if we’re good (and Mama
Told me just the same before)
They will let us into Heaven when
They see us at the door;
They will let us into Heaven when
They see us at the door."
3 "There I know I shall be happy,
And will always want to stay;
I shall love to hear the singing,
I shall love the endless day;
I shall love to look at Jesus,
I shall love Him more and more,
And I’ll gather water lilies for
The angel at the door;
And I’ll gather water lilies for
The angel at the door."
4 "There will be none but the holy—
I shall know no more of sin;
Though I’ll see Mama and Nellie,
For I know He’ll let them in,
But I’ll have to tell the angel,
When I meet him at the door,
That he must excuse my Papa,
’Cause he couldn’t leave the store;
That he must excuse my Papa,
’Cause he couldn’t leave the store."
5 "Nellie says that maybe I shall
Very soon be called away;
If Papa were only ready,
I should like to go today;
But if I should go before him
To that world of light and joy,
Then I guess he’d want
To come to Heav’n
To see his little boy;
Then I guess he’d want
To come to Heav’n
To see his little boy." Used With Tune: ["I should like to die," said Willie] Text Sources: The Linnet by George F. Root and James R. Murray (Chicago: 1867)
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