God made me Heavens, the Sea, the Earth.
And o'er Chaos endless power displayed,
And from the dust, the dust of Earth
Both man and woman in His image made.
When Adam was by Eve deceived,
Then ate the fruit which God forbade
They both the doom of death received,
And all man's race was mortal made.
So God drove Man from Paradise,
By daily toil to win his bread;
And Death came forth to claim his prise,
And number all men with the dead.
Cursed in thy toil shall earth be found,
In labour thy days be passed;
Till Death shall thrust thee underground,
Returning dust to dust at last.
Oh woe! you inhabitants of this Earth,
Where cares so keenly strike,
In spite of rank, wealth, or worth,
Death will visit all alike.
Man that is born of woman has
Few days, made difficult with woes:
He passes, even as flowers pass;
He comes, and like a shadow goes.
Before the mighty Judge's chair
Comes reckoning for each man alive;
Fear, then, the judgments rendered there:
You know not when He will arrive.
If you would lead a sinless life,
Then keep this scene in constant view,
And you will have no toil or strife
When long repose has come for you.
