Night and day they never cease ;
We are wearied with their chime,
For they do not bring us peace ;
And we hush our breath to hear,
And we strain our eyes to see,
If thy shores are drawing near :
Eternity ! Eternity !
2 Oh, the clanging bells of Time !
How their changes rise and fall ;
But in undertone sublime,
Sounding clearly through them all,
Is a voice that must be heard,
As our moments onward flee ;
And it speaketh aye one word :
Eternity ! Eternity !
3 Oh, the clanging bells of Time !
To their voices, loud and low,
In a long, unresting line
We are marching to and fro ;
And we yearn for sight or sound
Of the life that is to be,
For thy breath doth wrap us round :
Eternity ! Eternity !
4 Oh, the clanging bells of Time !
Soon their notes will all be dumb,
And in joy and peace sublime
We shall feel the silence come !
And our souls their thirst will slake,
And our eyes the King will see,
When thy glorious morn shall break :
Eternity ! Eternity !