Scripture Verse

It shall come to pass in the last days. Isaiah 2:2

Introduction

portrait
Robert Lowry (1826–1899)

Words & Music: Ro­bert Low­ry, Bright­est and Best (New York & Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Big­low & Main, 1875), pag­es 6–7 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

  • Wuppertal Ro­bert Low­ry, 1875 (🔊 pdf nwc) (no refrain)

Lyrics

A bet­ter day is com­ing,
A morn­ing pro­mised long,
When gird­ed right, with ho­ly might,
Will ov­er­throw the wrong;
When God the Lord will list­en
To ev­ery plaint­ive sigh,
And stretch His hand o’er ev­ery land,
With jus­tice by and by.

Refrain

Coming by and by, coming by and by!
The bet­ter day is com­ing,
The morn­ing draw­eth nigh;
Coming by and by, com­ing by and by!
The wel­come dawn will hast­en on,
’Tis com­ing by and by.

The boast of haugh­ty er­ror
No more will fill the air,
But age and youth will love the truth,
And spread it ev­ery­where;
No more from want and sor­row
Will come the hope­less cry;
And strife will cease and per­fect peace
Will flour­ish by and by.

Refrain

Oh! for that ho­ly dawn­ing
We watch, and wait, and pray,
Till o’er the height the morn­ing light
Shall drive the gloom away;
And when the heav’n­ly glo­ry
Shall flood the earth and sky,
We’ll bless the Lord for all His word,
And praise Him by and by.

Refrain