Duxborough (William Billings)
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- Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2014-12-01). Score information: Unknown, 1 page, 48 kB Copyright: Public Domain
- Edition notes: Note shapes added (4-shape).
General Information
Title: Duxborough
First Line: In vain the wealthy mortals toil
Composer: William Billings
Lyricist: Isaac Watts
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Hymn Meter: 88. 88 (L.M.)
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
Published: 1770
Description: Originally published in The New-England Psalm-Singer, 1770, p. 8, without words. Revised in 1778, with words added from Isaac Watts, 1709, Hymn 24 (Book 1).
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
In vain the wealthy mortals toil,
And heap their shining dust in vain,
Look down and scorn the humble poor,
And boast their lofty hills of gain.
Their golden cordials cannot ease
Their pained hearts or aching heads,
Nor fright nor bribe approaching death
From glitt'ring roofs and downy beds.
The ling'ring, the unwilling soul
The dismal summons must obey,
And bid a long, a sad farewell
To the pale lump of lifeless clay.
Thence they are huddled to the grave,
Where kings and slaves have equal thrones;
Their bones without distinction lie
Amongst the heap of meaner bones.