Scripture Verse

Strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hebrews 11:13

Introduction

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),

portrait
Thomas H. Bayly
1797–1839
National Portrait Gallery

button

Lyrics

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.