A Choice Collection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs ‎#IX

IX. The Sinner's Shame and Confusion

1 So foolish, so absurd am I,
That nothing can be more;
Was ever such a Monster seen
Upon the Earth before?

2 I dare not look upon the Earth,
The witness of my Sin;
My Conscience is a Doom's-day Book,
I dare not look within.

3 Upwards I durst not cast mine Eyes,
For there my Judge doth sit:
Nor downwards, whence the Smoke does rise,
From the infernal Pit.

4 How shall I answer at the Bar
Of him who is most pure?
I cannot answer for my self,
My self I can't endure.

5 And as my self I can't endure,
My self I cannot fly:
Thus Fools do sell themselves for Slaves,
And what a Slave am I?

6 My Heart the Seat of folly is,
My Life a Life of Sin:
Surely I am more brutal far,
Than ever Brute hath been.

7 Is this my Wit? Is this my Way?
To make a glorious Mame?
Are these the Thanks I've paid to Heav'n?
Ah, what a Beast I am?

8 The Crown is fallen from my head,
My royal Robes are gone;
Confusion is my only Cloak,
And I must put it on.

9 And whilst I blush, and whilst I bleed,
Here will I sit alone:
And here I'll lead the Leper's Life,
And make my doleful Moan.

10 I am not worthy of the Earth,
Nor worthy of the Air,
Nor worthy of the wat'ry Drop,
But of the Damned's Fare.

11 O! How it kills my Heart to think
Upon my foolish Ways!
Yet this I'll bear and bless the Lord,
Because Damnation stays.

Text Information

• First Line: So foolish, so absurd am I
• Title: The Sinner's Shame and Confusion
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1774

Tune Information

(No tune information)