Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
1 Corinthians 2:9
Words: W. C. Tillou, in The Christian Lyre, by Joshua Leavitt, second edition (New York: Jonathan Leavitt, 1831), number 78.
Music: Eden of Love, in A Compilation of Genuine Church Music, by Joseph Funk, 2nd edition, 1835 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know Tillou’s full name, or where to get a good picture of him or Funk,
How sweet to reflect on those joys that await me,
In yon blissful region, the haven of rest,
Where glorified spirits with welcome shall greet me,
And lead me to mansions prepared for the blest;
Encircled in light, and with glory enshrouded,
My happiness perfect, my mind’s sky unclouded,
I’ll bathe in the ocean of pleasure unbounded,
And range with delight through the Eden of Love.
While angelic legions with harps tuned celestial,
Harmoniously join in the concert of praise,
The saints, as they flock from the regions terrestrial,
In loud hallelujahs their voices will raise:
Then songs of the Lamb shall re-echo through Heaven,
My soul will respond, To Immanuel be given
All glory, all honor, all might and dominion,
Who brought us through grace to the Eden of Love.
Then hail, blessèd state! Hail, ye songsters of glory!
Ye harpers of bliss, soon I’ll meet you above!
And join your full choir in rehearsing the story,
Salvation from sorrow, through Jesus’ love.
Though prisoned in earth, yet by anticipation
Already my soul feels a sweet prelibation
Of joys that await me when freed from probation:
My heart’s now in Heaven, the Eden of Love.