Hicks' Farewell

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 #2

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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.