Life at best is very brief,
Like the falling of a leaf,
Like the binding of a sheath,
Be in time.

Fleeting days are telling fast,
That the die will soon be cast,
And the fatal line be passed,
Be in time.

Fairest flowers soon decay,
Youth and beauty pass away,
Oh, you have not long to stay,
Be in time.

While God's spirit bids you come,
Sinners do not longer roam
Lest you seal your hopeless doom (original line)
Lest you lose your way back home (new line)
Be in time, won't you be in time.

Lord I want to live for you,
Give all I can give for you,
Help me, Jesus, to make
The most of my time.

Fleeting days are telling fast,
That the die will soon be cast,
And the fatal line be passed,
Be in time.
Lord, help me be in time.