Oh would we be as angels bright?

1 Oh would we be as angels bright,
To stand before the throne in light,
And join the myriads that proclaim
The honor of th' ascended Lamb?
Ah, no!--what losers were we thus;
We could not sing, He died for us!

2 We would not bear an angel's name;
A sinner saved is that we claim.
We'd rather debtors be to grace
Than fill e'en Gabriel's honored place,
And washed in Calvary's precious flood,
Owe all to Christ's atoning blood.

Source: A Few Hymns and Some Spiritual Songs. Selected 1856, for the Little Flock. Revised, 1881 #205