Scripture Verse

We have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil. Hebrews 6:19

Introduction

Words: J. G. T. Cruse, in The Gos­pel Sing­er, ed­it­ed by Phi­lip Phil­lips (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Lee & Walk­er, 1874), page 21.

Music: Day­to­na Si­las J. Vail, 1874 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

Lyrics

Land ahead! a light is gleam­ing
O’er the dark and sull­en waves,
While the world at large is dream­ing,
Thinking not of Him who saves.

Refrain

Yet amid the tem­pest’s roar,
Zion’s ship is near­ing shore;
Cast the an­chor o’er the rail,
Soon we’ll land with­in the veil.

Land ahead! sweet words so cheer­ing,
To the tem­pest tossed and tried;
For the hea­ven­ly port we’re near­ing,
Home for which we oft have sighed.

Refrain

Land ahead! the night of weep­ing
Yields to dawn of end­less day;
Jesus comes to wake from sleep­ing,
Jewels that are laid away.

Refrain

Land ahead! our home of glo­ry
Pilgrims soon its shores will throng;
Then we’ll sing the old, old story,
And will shout re­demp­tion’s song.

Refrain