Hicks' Farewell

VERSION number one -------------------------- My time is swiftly rolling on When I must faint and die; My body to the dust return And there fergotten lie. Let persecution rage around And Antichrist appear; My silent dust beneath the ground; There's no disturbance there. To call poor sinners to repent And seek their Savior dear. My brother preachers, boldly speak And stand on Zion's wall. Confirm the drunk, confirm the weak And after sinners call. My loving wife, my bosom friend, The object of my love, The time's been sweet l've spent with you, My sweet and harmless dove, My little children near my heart My warm affections know. From each the path will I attend. O from them can I go?! O God, a father to them be And keep them from all harm, That they may love and worship Thee And dwell upon Thy charm. How often you have looked fer me And often seen me come. But now I must depart from thee And nevermore return. My loving wife, don't grieve fer me, Neither lament nor mourn; Fer I will with my Jesus be And dwell upon his charm. VERSION number two -------------------------- The time is swiftly rolling on When I must faint and die, My body to the dust return And there forgotten lie. Let persecutions rage around, Let Antichrist appear; Beneath the cold and silent ground There's no disturbance there. Through heats and cold I've toiled and went And wandered in despair; To call poor sinners to repent And seek the Savior dear. My brother preachers, boldly speak And stand on Zion's wall. Confirm the strong, revive the weak, And after sinners call. My little children, near my heart, And nature seems to bind, It grieves me sorely to depart And leave you here behind. Oh Lord, a father to them be And keep them from all harm That they may love and worship Thee And dwell upon Thy charm. My loving wife, my bosom friend, The object of my love, The time's been sweet I spent with thee, My sweet, my harmless dove. Though I must now depart from thee Let this not grieve your heart, For you will shortly come to me Where we shall never part. --- Hicks' Farewell - Doc Watson