Scripture Verse

There remaineth…a rest to the people of God. Hebrews 4:9

Introduction

Words: Leigh M. Hodg­es, 1907. Ap­peared in Al­ex­an­der’s Gos­pel Songs, ed­it­ed by Charles M. Al­ex­an­der (New York: Flem­ing H. Re­vell, 1908), num­ber 101.

Music: Ro­bert Hark­ness (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Hodg­es (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Robert Harkness (1880–1961)

Lyrics

I have a home be­yond the si­lent ri­ver,
Where loved ones wait to wel­come me some day;
I have a guide to lead me safe­ly ov­er,
When I have reached the end­ing of earth’s way.

Refrain

I have a home, a home be­yond the ri­ver,
I have a rest­ing place all love and peace;
I have a home, a home be­yond the river,
Blest home be­yond, where toil and tears shall cease.

I have a friend who e’er awaits my com­ing,
He stands with arms out­stretched to fold me in;
And spite my woes and wea­ri­ness of com­ing,
He’ll greet me with the love that bore my sin.

Refrain

With home and friend be­yond the si­lent ri­ver,
How fair will be the day that knows no night!
How sweet will be the songs I sing for ev­er,
Eternally in God’s all gra­cious sight.

Refrain