Scripture Verse

The dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: Pe­ter P. Bil­horn, Hymns of the Se­cond Com­ing of Our Lord Je­sus Christ (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Bil­horn Bro­thers, 1911), num­ber 10 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Peter P. Bilhorn (1865–1936)

Lyrics

Lyrics

There’s a pre­cious promise in His ho­ly word:
The Lord is com­ing by and by;
’Tis the sweet­est pro­mise mor­tal ev­er heard:
The Lord is com­ing by and by.

Refrain

O, the Lord is com­ing by and by,
O, the Lord is com­ing by and by;
When the saints who sleep shall rise,
We shall meet Him in the skies,
O, the Lord is com­ing by and by

Oh, the dawn­ing of that day is draw­ing near,
The Lord is com­ing by and by;
And the King in glo­ry will in pow’r ap­pear,
The Lord is com­ing by and by.

Refrain

We shall hear the shout of tri­umph in the air,
The Lord is com­ing by and by;
And the sons of God will in His glo­ry share,
The Lord is com­ing by and by.

Refrain

And the dead in Christ shall then be called to life,
The Lord is com­ing by and by;
We shall all be changed, be free from sin and strife,
The Lord is com­ing by and by.

Refrain