Scripture Verse

When the morning was…come, Jesus stood on the shore. John 21:4

Introduction

portrait
Martha E. Pettus

Words: Mar­tha E. Pet­tus, The Way­side Shrine (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: Sher­man, French & Com­pa­ny, 1914), pag­es 88–89, alt.

Music: Ni­ger­ia James H. Ro­se­crans, 1897 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a bet­ter pho­to of Pet­tus,

portrait
James H. Rosecrans (1843–1926)

Lyrics

When from my sight the last earth-sha­dow falls,
When life’s last mid­night is o’er,
Just as the morn on the ri­ver shall dawn,
Jesus will stand on the shore.
Yes, ’twill be morn­ing! The light of His face
Shines down that path­way of gloom;
Vanished thy ter­ror, thy vic­to­ry, Death,
Since He was laid in the tomb!

Since He is ris­en! O rap­tur­ous word!
Risen! He go­eth be­fore!
When He shall bid me Come ov­er, I know
Jesus will stand on the shore!
How can I fear, then, that ri­ver to cross?
(Hushed are its storms ev­er­more);
How can I faint when I watch for His smile,
His, who will stand on the shore?

Yes, He is watch­ing; He still­eth the waves,
Bearing His ran­somed ones o’er;
Ready to wel­come each pil­grim, He stands
Waiting on Hea­ven’s bright shore.
And I shall see Him, who once on the earth
Robes of mor­ta­li­ty wore;
Onward, blest spi­rit, look on­ward and see
Jesus—He stands on the shore!

I would have told you! That word of His love
Comforts my soul more and more;
Jordan rolls dark­ly, but morn­ing is near:
Jesus will stand on the shore!
Spirit of mine, when the sha­dow of death
Clouds o’er thy hea­ven, once more
Fear not, Oh, fear not! The ri­ver once crossed,
Jesus will stand on the shore!