They were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Hebrews 11:16
Words & Music: Henry L. Frisbie, in The Silver Chime, edited by George F. Root (Boston, Massachusetts: Henry Tolman, 1862), pages 36–37 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Frisbie (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
No mortal eye that land hath seen,
Beyond, beyond the river,
Its smiling valleys, hills so green,
Beyond, beyond the river;
Its shores are coming nearer,
The skies are growing clearer,
Each day it seemeth nearer,
That land beyond the river.
Refrain
We’ll stand the storm,
We’ll stand the storm,
Its rage is almost over;
We’ll anchor in the harbor soon,
In the land beyond the river.
No cankering care nor mortal strife,
Beyond, beyond the river,
But happy, never ending life
Beyond, beyond the river.
Thro’ the eternal hours,
God’s love, in heav’nly showers,
Shall water faith’s fair flowers
In the land beyond the river.
Refrain
That glorious day will ne’er be done,
Beyond, beyond the river,
When we’ve the crown and kingdom won,
Beyond, beyond the river.
There is eternal pleasure,
And joys that none can measure,
For those who have their treasure,
In the land beyond the river.
Refrain
When we shall look from Zion’s hill,
Beyond, beyond the river,
With endless bliss our hearts shall thrill,
Beyond, beyond the river.
There angels bright are singing,
Where golden harps are ringing,
We ne’er shall cease our singing,
In the land beyond the river.
Refrain