God shall wipe away all tears…and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.
Revelation 21:4
Words: C. Hartley, in The Welcome, edited by J. M. Kieffer (Cleveland, Ohio: S. Brainard’s Sons, 1873), number 106.
Music: Sainte-Chapelle William T. Rogers, 1873 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Hartley or Rogers (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
The world above is not like this,
So dark, so sad and drear;
Oh no, for there the years of bliss
Roll on without a tear!
No gloom, no night, nor cloud of grief
Can ever cast a shade
Across those sunny plains of peace
In light and love arrayed!
Refrain
The world above is not like this,
So dark, so sad, and drear;
Oh no, for there the years of bliss
Roll on without a tear!
The world above is not like this,
No parting tears are shed,
Nor sweet affection’s lingering kiss,
Bestowed upon the dead;
There severed hearts unite again,
In love around the throne,
And far beyond this world of pain
Take up their crown and home!
Refrain
Oh for a harp in that bright world,
Far from the tears of this;
Here death’s black banners are unfurled
To shade each hour of bliss;
But there each spirit-harp will thrill
With music’s endless tones,
And Jesus’ smile forever fill
With light our angel homes.
Refrain