Dedicated to
Mr. D. L. Moody,
of Chicago.
Writtin on the occassion of the Chicago fire,
and singularily commemorative of the lamentable
death of Mr. P. P. Bliss by the recent disaster at Ashtabula.
"The Billow of Fire" (1877)
Song
With Quartett Chorus.
Words and Music by
Philip Paul Bliss, 1838-1876.

1.
Hark the alarm, the clang of the bells!
Signal of danger it rises and swells;
Flashed like lightning illumine the sky,
See the red glare as the flames mount on high!

CHORUS
Roll on, roll on, oh, billow of fire!
Dash with thy fury waves higher and higher!
Ours is a mansion abiding and sure,
Ours is a kingdom eternal secure.

2.
On like a fiend in its towering wrath,
On, and destruction alone points the path,
"Mercy of Heaven" the sufferers wail,
Feeble humanity naught can avail.

(CHORUS)

3.
Thousands are homeless and quick in their cry,
Heaven born charity yields a supply,
Upward we glance in our terrible grief,
"Give us this day," brings the promised relief.

(CHORUS)

4.
Treasures have vanished and riches have flown,
Hopes for the present life [--] and gone.
Courage, oh, brother, yield not to despair,
"God is our refuge" His kingdom we share.

(CHORUS)