Strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Hebrews 11:13
Words: Charles W. Ainsworth, in The Wesleyan Psalmist, edited by M. L. Scudder (Boston, Massachusetts: D. S. King, 1842), number 98.
Music: Long, Long Ago Thomas H. Bayly (1797–1839) (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Ainsworth (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Here o’er the earth as a stranger I roam,
Here is no rest, here is no rest;
Here as a pilgrim I wander alone,
Yet I am blest—yet I am blest.
For I look forward to that glorious day,
When sin and sorrow will vanish away;
My heart doth leap while I hear Jesus say,
There, there is rest—there, there is rest.
Here fierce temptations beset me around!
Here is no rest, here is no rest;
Here I am grieved while my foes me surround;
Yet I am blest—yet I am blest.
Let them revile me and scoff at my name,
Laugh at my weeping, endeavor to shame;
I will go forward, for this is my theme,
There, there is rest—there, there is rest.
Here are afflictions and trials severe;
Here is no rest, here is no rest;
Here I must part with the friends I hold dear;
Yet I am blest—yet I am blest.
Sweet is the promise I read in His word,
Blessèd are they who have died in the Lord;
They will be called to receive their reward;
Then we shall rest—then we shall rest.
This world of care is a wilderness state,
Here is no rest, here is no rest;
Here I must bear with the world and its hate,
Yet I am blest—yet I am blest.
Soon shall I be from the wicked released,
There shall my joy with the Lord be increased,
Soon shall the weary forever be blest,
There, there is rest—there, there is rest.