The angels of God in Heaven.
Matthew 22:30
Words: A. T. Gorham, in On Joyful Wing, edited by John R. Sweney & William Kirkpatrick (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: John J. Hood, 1886), number 19.
Music: William J. Kirkpatrick (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know Gorham’s full name, or where to get a good picture of him (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
The golden spires are gleaming
Just on the other side!
I see the turrets glisten
Hard by the flowing tide;
The pearly gates are open,
The highway’s large and free;
And angel bands are waiting
To welcome you and me.
Refrain
Waiting, waiting,
Beautiful forms I see;
The angel bands are waiting,
To welcome you and me.
The fadeless flowers are blooming,
Just on the other side,
And down life’s shining river
The crystal waters glide;
The sons of glory linger
Beneath each spreading tree,
And angel bands are waiting
To welcome you and me.
Refrain
With joy we soon shall gather
Just on the other side,
While endless songs of triumph
Come floating o’er the tide;
In Eden’s star lit mansions
Our home shall ever be,
And angel bands are waiting
To welcome you and me.
Refrain
Yes, waiting, ever waiting
Just on the other side—
Beyond the rolling river,
Across the surging tide;
Yes, waiting, ever waiting
Upon the jasper sea,
And angel bands are waiting
To welcome you and me.
Refrain