by Mary Ann Kidder (1820 - 1905)
Don't be idle
Language: English
Don't be idle, little children, While there's so much work to do; God has planted you a vineyard And his laborers are few; Rise up early in the morning, While the air is soft and cool, And with heart and mind and spirit Labor for the Sunday School. Don't be idle, don't be idle, Make these words your guiding rule; Don't be idle, don't be idle, Labor for the Sunday School. God has given you a mission, Little children, small and weak. Sermons you can preach for Jesus Though your tongues can scarcely speak; "Love each other," fondly, dearly, Learn by heart the golden rule, Thus in heart and mind and spirit Labor for the Sunday School. Don't be idle, don't be idle, Make these words your guiding rule; Don't be idle, don't be idle, Labor for the Sunday School. Don't be idle! in the highways, And the hedges, many roam, Precious lambs without a shepherd, Go and call the wanderers home; Tell them of your heavenly Father, How you love his gentle rule, And in heart and mind and spirit Labor for the Sunday School. Don't be idle, don't be idle, Make these words your guiding rule; Don't be idle, don't be idle, Labor for the Sunday School.
Authorship:
- by Mary Ann Kidder (1820 - 1905) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Stephen Collins Foster (1826 - 1864), "Don't be idle", published 1863. [voice and piano] [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2015-12-25
Line count: 36
Word count: 209