ROCK OF AGES
1884
1884
"Rock of Ages," sang the maiden,
Knew she not of fear or dread,
Stifling air with hot smoke laden
Beat about her youthful head.
Knew she not of fear or dread,
Stifling air with hot smoke laden
Beat about her youthful head.
Red flames curled above, below her,
Shrieks of terror rent the air,
Angry flames leaped closer, closer
'Till they almost touched her hair;
Shrieks of terror rent the air,
Angry flames leaped closer, closer
'Till they almost touched her hair;
Still the song's sweet, peaceful music
Rose above the wails of woe
"Till the breezes bore it downward
To the hurrying crowd below.
Rose above the wails of woe
"Till the breezes bore it downward
To the hurrying crowd below.
"Hark!" they said, "Who is it singing?"
And they strained their eyes to see
While the sweet song went on ringing
Forth its peaceful melody.
And they strained their eyes to see
While the sweet song went on ringing
Forth its peaceful melody.
Dimly through the smoke and blackness
They beheld a woman's form
Clinging to an upper casement
Singing midst the fiery storm;
They beheld a woman's form
Clinging to an upper casement
Singing midst the fiery storm;
Listened they in breathless silence
Through that burning, seething sea,
Came the words distinctly, clearly:
"Rock of Ages cleft for me."
Through that burning, seething sea,
Came the words distinctly, clearly:
"Rock of Ages cleft for me."
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