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: George P. Beard, in Songs of the Century, edited by George D. Elderkin, John R. Sweney & William J. Kirkpatrick (Chicago, Illinois: George D. Elderkin, 1900).
Music: Guayabera B. Franklin Butts (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good photo of Beard or Butts (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
This hymn was inspired by the dying words of evangelist Dwight L. Moody, recorded by his son:
About six o clock he quieted down, and soon fell into a natural sleep, from which he awoke in about an hour. Suddenly he was heard speaking in slow and measured words. He was saying:Earth recedes; Heaven opens before me.The first impulse was to try to arouse him from what appeared to be a dream.No, this is no dream, Will,he replied.It is beautiful. It is like a trance. If this is death, it is sweet. There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go.William Revell Moody, The Life of Dwight L. Moody (Fleming H. Revell, 1900), p. 552
Beautiful city, the home of the blest,
Beautiful mansions where weary shall rest,
Beautiful river of life, never old,
Beautiful streets of the purest of gold.
Refrain
Oh, it is beautiful! Eye hath not seen,
Neither hath ear heard the heavenly theme;
Oh, it is beautiful! All I have seen,
Thrilling my soul with the heavenly theme.
Beautiful angels around the white throne,
Beautiful children forever our own,
Beautiful sainted, enrobed in pure white,
Beautiful Savior, refulgent with light.
Refrain
Beautiful service of worship in song,
Beautiful family—perfectly one,
Beautiful harmony—living in love,
Beautiful scenes that await us above.
Refrain
Beautiful greeting when friend meeteth friend,
Beautiful meeting that never shall end,
Beautiful day, with no shadow of night,
Beautiful vision, eternally bright.
Refrain