A Few More Years Shall Roll
A few more years shall roll
The hymn embodies Reformed and evangelical eschatology, emphasizing life's brevity as motivation for spiritual readiness and faith in Christ's promised return. It reflects Lutheran teaching on memento mori and the Christian hope of resurrection while calling believers to faithful living in light of eternity.
History & Background
Written by Scottish Free Church minister Horatius Bonar in 1843, this hymn reflects Victorian evangelical piety regarding the shortness of earthly life and the hope of Christ's return. It was widely adopted in English-speaking Protestant hymnals throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 726
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 323
- Lutheran Worship — 500
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 611
Bulletin Note
Written by Scottish minister Horatius Bonar in 1843, this hymn reflects Reformed evangelical theology and the ancient Christian practice of memento mori—remembering death—as motivation for faithful living and spiritual readiness.
Preaching Connection
This hymn powerfully embodies the Law's reminder of human transience while the Gospel's proclamation of Christ's return and bodily resurrection transforms that mortality into confident, joyful expectation.
Themes
Mortality and eternity Hope in Christ Second coming Brevity of life Resurrection hope