Scripture Verse

They sang as it were a new song before the throne. Revelation 14:3

Introduction

portrait
George C. Hugg
1848–1907

Words: John­son Oat­man, Jr., in Light in the Val­ley (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: George C. Hugg, 1898), num­ber 192.

Music: Kirk­land George C. Hugg (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a bet­ter pho­to of Oat­man or Hugg,

portrait
Johnson Oatman, Jr.
1856–1922

Anecdote

At a me­mo­ri­al ser­vice, held at Ches­ter Heights Camp Meeting, Aug. 2, 1897, a great wave of re­li­gious en­thu­si­asm passed ov­er the au­di­ence when Rev. C. M. Bos­well said, con­cern­ing Rev. Wm. Swin­dells, D.D., He is away from us to-day, but he is just across the blue, await­ing the time for us to come and greet him there. Let us send him word that we will be sure to come.

From Light in the Val­ley

Lyrics

Beyond the stars our loved ones wait,
And watch for us beside the gate;
They wait for me, they watch for you,
In that fair land across the blue.

Refrain

Across the blue, across the blue,
From Pisgah’s height behold the view;
Friends wait for me and watch for you,
In sinless land, across the blue.

We long to join our loved ones there,
And with them breathe on Heaven’s air
The song that is forever new,
In glory land, across the blue.

Refrain

When we shall reach the streets of gold,
We will our Savior’s face behold;
We’ll kiss the hand that led us thro’
To mansions fair across the blue.

Refrain

Then let us work and do our best,
Soon God will take us home to rest;
For if He finds us tried and true,
We’ll live with Him across the blue.

Refrain

Till then, my soul, be still and wait;
Soon thou wilt pass the pearly gate;
Then what a meeting will ensue
With those we love across the blue.

Refrain