Oh, the clanging bells of Time!

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!

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!

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!

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!

—Ellen M. H. Gates