Scripture Verse

…having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. Philippians 1:23

Introduction

Words: W. J. Cook­sley, in The Gos­pel Sing­er, ed­it­ed by Phil­ip Phil­lips (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Lee & Wal­ker, 1874), num­ber 26.

Music: Har­vey C. Camp (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

Lyrics

A land of glo­ry lies above,
The home of joy and deathless love;
Where comes no suffering, pain or woe:
There would I go, I long to go.

Refrain

The summons will come, the summons will come,
And the angel’s soft pinion shall carry me home:
To Je­sus’ arms, where naught alarms,
I long to go, I long to go.

Here sorrow comes with tearful eye,
We see companions droop and die;
There none decay, nor anguish know—
There would I go, I long to go.

Refrain

There flow’rs more bright than Eden’s bloom,
To fill the air with sweet perfume;
No scorching heats, nor frost-blasts blow,
There would I go, I long to go.

Refrain

There sounds of richest music lave
The golden shore— a swelling wave—
No discord mars the unceasing flow;
There would I go, I long to go.

Refrain

There high amidst the happy throng,
The theme of every raptured song,
My Je­sus see, His smile to know,
There would I go, I long to go.

Refrain

When shall I breathe the perfumed air,
And gaze upon those scenes so fair?
When safely pass the last great foe?
Soon, soon I know; I long to go.

Refrain