Can laughter feed the immortal mind

Can laughter feed the immortal mind

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 2 hymnals

Representative Text

1 Can laughter feed th' immortal mind?
Were spirits of celestial kind
Made for a jest, for sport and play,
To wear out time, and waste the day?

2 Doth vain discourse, or empty mirth,
Well suit the honours of their birth?
Shall they be fond of gay attire,
Which children love, and fools admire?

3 What if we wear the richest vest?
Peacocks and flies are better drest;
This flesh, with all its gaudy forms,
Must drop to dust, and feed the worms.

4 Lord, raise our hearts and passions higher;
Touch all our souls with sacred fire;
Then, with a heaven-directed eye,
We'll pass these glittering trifles by.

5 We'll look on all the toys below
With such disdain as angels do;
And wait the call that bids us rise
To mansions promis'd in the skies.


Source: A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Publick Worship #CXVI

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 >

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First Line: Can laughter feed the immortal mind
Author: Isaac Watts
Copyright: Public Domain

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A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship #CXVI

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A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Publick Worship #CXVI

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