Rise My Soul and Stretch Thy Wings { Rise My Soul and Stretch Thy Wings GEORGIA-Composer Unknown AMSTERDAM-James Nares Rise, My Soul, and Stretch Thy Wings } Rise, my soul, and stretch thy wings, Thy better portion trace; Rise from transitory things T'ward heav'n, thy native place: Sun and moon and stars decay, Time shall soon this earth remove; Rise, my soul, and haste away To seats prepared above. Rivers to the ocean run, Nor stay in all their course; Fire ascending seeks the sun; Both speed them to their source: So my soul, derived from God, Pants to view His glorious face Forward tends to His abode, To rest in His embrace. Fly me riches, fly me cares, Whilst I that coast explore; Flattering world, with all thy snares, Solicit me no more. Pilgrims fix not here their home; Strangers tarry but a night; When the last dear morn is come, They'll rise to joyful light. Cease, ye pilgrims, cease to mourn, Press onward to the prize; Soon our Saviour will return Triumphant in the skies: Yet a season, and you know Happy entrance will e given, All our sorrows left below, And earth exchanged for heaven.