Scripture Verse

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth. Ecclesiastes 11:9

Introduction

portrait
Aldine S. Kieffer (1840–1904)

Words: Al­dine S. Kief­fer, in The Path­way of Praise No. 1, ed­it­ed by Eph­ra­im Hil­de­brand & C. J. Gil­bert (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: Fill­more Bro­thers, 1904).

Music: Bear Butte Eph­ra­im T. Hil­de­brand, 1904 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

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Ephraim T. Hildebrand (1866–1931)

Lyrics

Rejoice, O young man, in the glo­ry of youth,
In virtue and wis­dom, in hon­or and truth;
Let these gird your loins as you jour­ney along
To man­sions of bliss in the land of sweet song.

Refrain

Rejoice and be glad, through the night and the day,
Look bright and not sad, on your pil­grim­age way;
Rejoice and be glad, through the night and the day,
Look bright and not sad, on your pil­grim­age way.

Rejoice, O young maid, in thy in­no­cent grace,
Let Christ be your mo­del, that oth­ers may trace
His fea­tures in yours as you jour­ney above,
Secure from all sin in pure in­no­cent love.

Refrain

Be strong, O young saint, there are foes in the way,
Be strong in the faith lest they lead thee as­tray;
Thy Cap­tain alone can shield thee and save,
And give thee a home af­ter death and the grave.

Refrain