Scripture Verse

Strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hebrews 11:13

Introduction

Words: The­o­dore Til­ton, in May­nard’s Se­lect­ed Sab­bath School Hymns, 4th ed­i­tion, ed­it­ed by Tho­mas May­nard (Ut­i­ca, New York: Ro­berts, 1858).

Music: Avon­dale (Caw­thorne) George F. Caw­thorne, in The Pri­mi­tive Me­tho­dist Hym­nal Sup­ple­ment with Tunes, ed­it­ed by George Booth (Lon­don: Pri­mi­tive Me­tho­dist Pub­lish­ing House, 1912), num­ber 56 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Caw­thorne (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portait
Theodore Tilton
1835–1907

Lyrics

Take thy staff, O pilgrim!
Haste thee on thy way;
Let the morrow find thee
Farther than today.
If thou seek the city
Of the Golden Street,
Pause not on thy pathway,
Rest not weary feet.
In the heav’nly journey
Press with zeal along—
Resting will but weary,
Running make thee strong.

Wings that eagles carry,
Bear them in their flight;
So thy burden bears thee—
Surely then ’tis light!
Haste, it hath been told thee—
All things are thine own;
Pass the pearly portals,
Stand before the throne.
Here thy journey endeth,
Here thy staff lay down,
Enter here thy mansion,
Here receive thy crown!