"I Would Not Live Alway; I Ask Not to Stay"
                      by William A. Muehlenberg 1796-1877
                                  Text From:
                      THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
               (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)p.417



          1. I would not live alway; I ask not to stay
          Where storm after storm rises dark o'er the way.
          The few lurid mornings that dawn on us here
          Suffice for life's woes, are enough for its cheer.

          2. I would not Ilve alway; thus fettered by sin,
          Temptation without and corruption within;
          E'en rapture of pardon is mingled with fears,
          The cup of thanksgiving with penitent tears.

          3. I would not live alway; no, welcome the tomb:
          Since Jesus hath lain there, I dread not its gloom.
          There sweet be my rest till He bids me arise
          To hail Him in triumph descending the skies.

          4. Ah, who would live alway, away from his God,
          Away from yon heaven, that blissful abode,
          Where rivers of pleasure flow o'er the bright plains
          And noontide of glory eternally reigns;

          5. Where saints of all ages in harmony meet
          Their Savior and brethren transported to greet,
          While anthems of rapture unceasingly roll,
          The smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul?

        

        Notes:
        Hymn #588 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
        Text: Job 7:16
        Author: William A. Muehlenberg, 1824, cento, alt.
        Tune: "Maldwyn"
        Melody: Welsh melody, c. 1600