1 What is life? ’tis but a vapor;
Soon it vanishes away;
Life is but a dying taper;
O my soul! why wish to stay!
Why not spread thy wings, and fly
Straight to yonder world of joy?

2 See that glory—how resplendent!
Brighter far than fancy paints;
There, in majesty transcendent,
Jesus reigns—the King of saints:
Spread thy wings, my soul! and fly
Straight to yonder world of joy.

3 Joyful crowds, His throne surrounding,
Sing with rapture of His love;
Through the heavens His praises sounding,
Filling all the courts above:
Spread thy wings, my soul! and fly
Straight to yonder world of joy.

4 Go, and share His people’s glory,
Mid the ransomed crowd appear;
Thine a joyful, wondrous story,
One that angels love to hear:
Spread thy wings, my soul! and fly
Straight to yonder world of joy