I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Philippians 4:11
Words: William Clayton, 1846, alt. Clayton wrote this song after receiving word that his wife had given birth to a healthy baby boy.
Music: All Is Well, from the Sacred Harp, by Jesse T. White, 1844 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of White (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Come, come, ye saints, no toil nor labor fear;
But with joy, wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
’Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell
All is well! All is well!
Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?
’Tis not so, all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward,
If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take;
Our God will never us forsake,
And soon we’ll have this tale to tell,
All is well! All is well!
We’ll find the place which God for us prepared,
In His house full of light,
Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid;
There the saints will shine bright.
We’ll make the air with music ring,
Shout praises to our God and king;
Above the rest these words we’ll tell,
All is well! All is well!
And should we die before our journey’s through,
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;
With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again
To see the saints their rest obtain,
O how we’ll make this chorus swell,
All is well! All is well!