Scripture Verse

Strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hebrews 11:13

Introduction

Words: C. C. Car­pen­ter, in the Con­gre­ga­tion­al­ist, be­fore 1863.

Music: Ano­ny­mous, in The Sil­ver Chime, ed­it­ed by George F. Root (Bos­ton: Mas­sa­chu­setts: Hen­ry Tol­man, 1862), page 56 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know Car­pen­ter’s full name, or where to get a good pic­ture of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

The way to Hea­ven is narrow,
And its blessèd entrance strait;
But how safe the little pilgrims
Who get within the gate!

The sunbeams of the morning
Make the narrow path so fair;
And these early little pilgrims
Find dewy blessings there.

They pass o’er rugged mountains,
But they climb them with a song;
For these early little pilgrims
Have sandals new and strong.

They do not greatly tremble
When the shadows night foretell;
For these early little pilgrims
Have tried the path so well.

They know it leads to Hea­ven,
With its bright and open gates,
Where for happy little pilgrims
A Sav­ior’s welcome waits.