Ever since I have been
Living in this world of sin,
I have had trials almost every day;
Always something, more or less,
To destroy my happiness,
And this is how I’ve come all the way.

Refrain

I have started out to find a better home,
Where the trials of this life can never come.
There with relatives and friends,
I shall be so happy then,
In the presence of the Lord all the time.

It was when I was young
I began to think upon
My condition as a sinner unsaved;
And at once made up my mind,
While I had sufficient time,
I would bow on my knees and pray.

Refrain

When I realized I had
Found the Lord, I was so glad,
For I thought all my trials would be done;
That my way would always be
One continuous jubilee,
But I found out my trials had just begun.

Refrain

Old Satan tried to get
Me to live a hypocrite,
And to only have an outward form;
He said time had changed the way,
And in this enlightened day
To do whate’er you please is no harm.

Refrain

I tried it for a while,
Keeping up with every style,
And was trying to get the crown without the cross.
I found it would not do;
For the Word of God is true.
And unless I live upright I would be lost.

Refrain

Then I put the world aside,
Taking Jesus for my guide,
I began to try to walk the narrow way.
It is tedious, I admit,
But I am not weary yet;
I shall travel on until the perfect day.

Refrain