154. Music in virtue's cause

1 Enlisted in the cause of sin,
Why should a good be evil?
Music too long, alas! has been
Press'd to obey the devil:
Press'd to obey the devil,
Press'd to obey the devil:
Drunken, or lewd, or light the ray,
Flows to the souls undoing,
Widens and strews with flow'rs the way,
Down to our utter ruin.

2 Who on the part of God will rise,
Innocent sounds recover;
Fly on the prize, and seize the prize,
Plunder the carnal lover:
Plunder the carnal lover,
Plunder the carnal lover:
Strip him of eve'ry moving strain,
Of every melting measure;
Music in virtue's cause retain,
Rescue the holy pleasure.

3 Come, let us try if Jesus' love
Will not as well inspire us;
This is the theme of those above,
This upon earth shall fire us.
Try, if your hearts are tuned to sing,
Is there a subject greater?
Harmony all its strains may bring,
Jesus' name is sweeter.

4 Jesus, the soul of music is,
His is the noblest passion;
Jesus' name is life, and peace,
Happiness and salvation.
Jesus' name the dead can raise,
Show us our sins forgiven,
Fill us with all the life of grace,
Carry us up to heaven.

5 Who has a right like us to sing?
Us, whom his mercy raises;
Merry our hearts, for Christ is King,
Joyful we'll sing his praises.
Who of his love doth once partake,
He in the Lord rejoices;
Melody in our hearts we make,
Melody with our voices.

6 Then, let us in his praises join,
Triumph in his salvation;
Glory ascribe to love divine,
Worship, and adoration.
Heaven already is begun,
Open'd in each believer;
Only believe, and still sing on,
Heaven is ours forever.

Text Information
First Line: Enlisted in the cause of sin
Title: Music in virtue's cause
Language: English
Publication Date: 1855
Tune Information
Name: [Enlisted in the cause of sin]
Key: G Major or modal



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