Strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Hebrews 11:13
Words: C. C. Carpenter, in the Congregationalist, before 1863.
Music: Anonymous, in The Silver Chime, edited by George F. Root (Boston: Massachusetts: Henry Tolman, 1862), page 56 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know Carpenter’s full name, or where to get a good picture of him (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
The way to Heaven is narrow,
And its blessèd entrance strait;
But how safe the little pilgrims
Who get within the gate!
The sunbeams of the morning
Make the narrow path so fair;
And these early little pilgrims
Find dewy blessings there.
They pass o’er rugged mountains,
But they climb them with a song;
For these early little pilgrims
Have sandals new and strong.
They do not greatly tremble
When the shadows night foretell;
For these early little pilgrims
Have tried the path so well.
They know it leads to Heaven,
With its bright and open gates,
Where for happy little pilgrims
A Savior’s welcome waits.