Scripture Verse

The harvest truly is plenteous, but the workers are few. Matthew 9:37

Introduction

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Fanny Crosby (1820–1915)

Words: Fan­ny Cros­by, in The Gos­pel Choir No. 2, by Ira San­key, James Mc­Gra­na­han & George C. Steb­bins (To­ron­to, Ca­na­da: Copp, Clark, 1895), num­ber 11. Some hym­nals give the au­thor as Ro­bert Bruce, one of Fan­ny’s pseu­do­nyms.

Music: Ira D. San­key (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Ira D. Sankey (1840–1908)

Lyrics

In the early morning,
Verdant fields adorning,
While the golden sunlight
Wakes the dewy leaves.
Haste we now with gladness,
Banish care and sadness;
Go and help the reapers
Gather in the sheaves.

Refrain

Gather in the sheaves,
Gather in the sheaves,
While the voice of nature
Sweetest music breathes:
Hear the Mas­ter calling,
Hear the echoes falling;
Go and help the reapers,
Gather in the sheaves.

When the days are brightest,
When our hearts are lightest,
When the lovely summer
Fairest beauty weaves.
In the noontide beaming,
In the twilight gleaming,
Go and help the reapers
Gather in the sheaves.

Refrain

Should our way be dreary,
Let us ne­ver weary,
Earnest, faithful labor
Greatest joy receives.
Though we toil in sorrow,
Soon will dawn the morrow,
When we’ll cross the river
Bearing home the sheaves.

Refrain