[Intro: Spoken]
Just before the Civil War, there was a missionary Baptist preacher named Reverend Hicks who lived in central South Carolina
He decided to go into east Tennesse to do some missionary work
And while he was there he became very sick of a fever
And thinking he would die, he wrote this song, the words and the music, and sent them back to his wife so they might be published

[Verse 1]
The time is swiftly rolling on
When I must faint and die
My body to the dust return
And there forgotten lie

[Verse 2]
Let persecutions rage around
Let Antichrist appear
Beneath the cold and silent ground
There's no disturbance there

[Verse 3]
Through heats and cold, I've toiled and went
And wandered in despair
To call poor sinners to repent
And seek the Savior dear

[Verse 4]
My brother preachers, boldly speak
And stand on Zion's wall
Confirm the strong, revive the weak
And after sinners call
[Verse 5]
My little children, near my heart
And nature seems to bind
It grieves me sorely to depart
And leave you here behind

[Verse 6]
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

[Verse 7]
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

[Verse 8]
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