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Teach me the measure of my days,
Thou Maker of my frame;
I would survey life’s narrow space,
And learn how frail I am.
A span is all that we can boast,
An inch or two of time;
Man is but vanity and dust
In all his flower and prime.
See the vain race of mortals move
Like shadows o’er the plain;
They rage and strive, desire and love,
But all the noise is vain.
Some walk in honour’s gaudy show,
Some dig for golden ore;
They toil for heirs, they know not who,
And straight are seen no more.
What should I wish or wait for, then,
From creatures earth and dust?
They make our expectations vain,
And disappoint our trust.
Now I forbid my carnal hope,
My fond desires recall;
I give my mortal interest up,
And make my God my all.
---Alternative verses---
A span is all that we can boast,
How short the fleeting time!
Man is but vanity and dust
In all his flower and prime.
What can I wish or wait for, then,
From creatures earth and dust?
They make our expectations vain,
And disappoint our trust.
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marker 99
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LYRICS
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Meter:
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8 6 8 6 (C.M.)
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Writer(s):
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Trans/Adapted:
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Dates:
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1719
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Bible Refs:
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Ps 39:4-7;
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LIST OF LYRIC SOURCES
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Hymn/Song Book
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Year
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Song #
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| 2005 | # 405 | | 1899 | # 584 | | | # 39 | | 1872 | # 39.3 | | 1866 | # 947 |
MUSIC
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Name:
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BYEFIELD
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Meter:
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8 6 8 6 (C.M.)
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Writer(s):
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Dates:
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1840
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LIST OF MUSIC SOURCES
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Hymn/Song Book
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Song #
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Key
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| # 584 | F |
ALTERNATIVE TUNES
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Name
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meter
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| 8 6 8 6 (C.M.) | | 8 6 8 6 (C.M.) | | 8 6 8 6 D (D.C.M.) |
echo ' | ';
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Hymn Writer
