Scripture Verse

Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ. Philippians 1:23

Introduction

portrait
William O. Cushing
1823–1902

Words: Will­iam O. Cush­ing, 1877.

Music: Ira D. San­key (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Ira D. Sankey
1840–1908

Lyrics

I have heard of a land far away,
And its glo­ries no tongue can de­clare;
But its beau­ty hangs ov­er the way,
And with Je­sus I long to be there.

Refrain

To be there, to be there,
And with Je­sus, I long to be there;
To be there, to be there,
And with Je­sus, I long to be there.

There are fore­tastes of Heav­en be­low,
There are mo­ments like joys of the blest;
But the splen­dors no mor­tal can know,
Of the land where the wea­ry shall rest.

Refrain

In that noon­tide of glo­ry so fair,
In the gleam of the riv­er of life,
There are joys that the faith­ful shall share;
O how sweet­ly they rest from the strife!

Refrain

There the ran­somed with Je­sus abide
In the shade of the shel­ter­ing fold;
Evermore by Im­ma­nu­el’s side,
They shall dwell in the glo­ry un­told.

Refrain