Jackalope

JTVrocher posted something in EoG that jogged my memory:
There's a sacred harp song that deals with just that idea. And like many grim protestant songs, it's not very comforting. It's a strangely ambivalent text, without the usual "I'm so glad Jebus has saved me" type of undertones. This author was seriously worried that he/she wasn't going to make it to heaven. I admit I love to sing it, because it makes a certain brand of "I know I'm saved" christian cringe.

You can see the sheet music and hear the midi score for the tune on this page You can see the whole hymnal, which is searchable by title, first line, composer, and meter here . It's worth a look, just as anthropological research. I'm still amused to see that many of the hymns my grandmother taught while she was church choir director were from Southern Harmony.

Idumea, Southern Harmony no.31

1. And am I born to die?
To lay this body down?
And must my trembling spirit fly
Into a world unknown,

2. A land of deepest shade,
Unpierced by human thought,
The dreary regions of the dead,
Where all things are forgot?

3. Soon as from earth I go,
What will become of me?
Eternal happiness or woe
Must then my portion be:

4. Waked by the trumpet's sound,
I from my grave shall rise,
And see the Judge, with glory crowned,
And see the flaming skies!

5. How shall I leave my tomb?
With triumph or regret?
A fearful or a joyful doom,
A curse or blessing meet?

6. Will angel bands convey
Their brother to the bar?
Or devils drag my soul away,
To meet its sentence there?

7. Who can resolve the doubt
That tears my anxious breast?
Shall I be with the damned cast out,
Or numbered with the blest?

8. I must from God be driven,
Or with my Savior dwell;
Must come at his command to heaven,
Or else--depart to hell!