Words: , in The Hymn Book, 1842.

Music: (1847-1929).

O do not let the Word depart,
And close thine eyes against the light;
Poor sinner, harden not your heart,
Be saved, O tonight.

Refrain

O why not tonight?
O why not tonight?
Wilt thou be saved?
Then why not tonight?

Tomorrow’s sun may never rise
To bless thy long deluded sight;
This is the time, O then be wise,
Be saved, O tonight.

Refrain

Our Lord in pity lingers still,
And wilt thou thus His love requite?
Renounce at once thy stubborn will,
Be saved, O tonight.

Refrain

Our blessèd Lord refuses none
Who would to Him their souls unite;
Believe on Him, the work is done,
Be saved, O tonight.

Refrain

Here’s ano­ther adapt­a­tion, from Sal­va­tion Ar­my Mu­sic (Lon­don: The Sal­va­tion Ar­my Book De­part­ment, 1900), set to an anon­y­mous tune named “Confidence”:

Oh, do not let thy Lord depart,
And close thine eyes against the light;
Poor sinner, harden not thy heart;
Thou wouldst be saved—why not tonight?
Thou wouldst be saved—why not tonight?

Tomorrow’s sun may never rise
To bless thy long-deluded sight;
This is the time!—oh, then, be wise!
Thou wouldst be saved—why not tonight?
Thou wouldst be saved—why not tonight?

Our God in pity lingers still;
Oh, wilt thou thus His love requite?
Renounce at length thy stubborn will,—
Thou wouldst be saved—why not tonight?
Thou wouldst be saved—why not tonight?

Our blessèd Lord refuses none
Who would to Him their souls unite;
Then be the work of grace begun:
Thou wouldst be saved—why not tonight?
Thou wouldst be saved—why not tonight?