1. All men living are but mortal,
   Yea, all flesh must fade as grass;
   Only through death’s gloomy portal
   To eternal life we pass.
   This frail body here must perish
   Ere the heav’nly joys it cherish,
   Ere it gain the free reward
   For the ransomed of the Lord.

2. Therefore, when my God doth choose it,
   Willingly I’ll yield my life
   Nor will grieve that I should lose it,
   For with sorrows it was rife.
   In my dear Redeemer’s merit
   Peace hath found my troubled spirit,
   And in death my comfort this:
   Jesus’ death my source of bliss.

3. Jesus for my sake descended
   My salvation to obtain;
   Death and hell for me are ended,
   Peace and hope are now my gain;
   Yea, with joy I leave earth’s sadness
   For the home of heav’nly gladness
   Where I shall forever see
   God, the Holy Trinity.

4. There is joy beyond our telling,
   Where so many saints have gone;
   Thousands, thousands, there are dwelling,
   Worshiping before the throne.
   There the seraphim are shining,
   Evermore in chorus joining:
   “Holy, holy, holy Lord!
   Triune God, fore’er adored!”

5. Patriarchs of sacred story
   And the prophets there are found;
   The apostles, too, in glory
   On twelve seats are there enthroned.
   All the saints that have ascended
   Age on age, through time extended,
   There in blissful concert sing
   Alleluias to their King.

6. O Jerusalem, how glorious
   Dost thou shine, thou city fair!
   Lo, I hear the tones victorious
   Ever sweetly sounding there.
   Oh, the bliss that there surprises!
   Lo, the sun of morn now rises,
   And the breaking day I see
   That shall never end for me.

7. Yea, I see what here was told me,
   See that wondrous glory shine,
   Feel the spotless robes enfold me,
   Know a golden crown is mine.
   Thus before the throne so glorious
   Now I stand a soul victorious,
   Gazing on that joy for aye
   That shall never pass away.

Alle Menschen müssen sterben
Johann Georg Albinus, 1652
Sts. 1–4, 6–7 tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
St. 5 tr. anon.
Source: The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, No. 601, alt.