Scripture Verse

A little while, and you shall see Me. John 16:17

Introduction

Words: Jane F. Crewd­son, A Lit­tle While, and Oth­er Po­ems (Man­ches­ter, Eng­land: 1864).

Music: A Lit­tle While Ira D. San­key (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

portrait
Ira D. Sankey (1840–1908)

Lyrics

Oh, for the peace that floweth as a river,
Making life’s desert places bloom and smile;
Oh, for the faith to grasp Heav’n’s bright for­ev­er,
Amid the shadows of earth’s little while.

A little while for patient vigil keeping,
To face the storm and wrestle with the strong;
A little while to sow the seed with weeping,
Then bind the sheaves and sing the harvest song.

A little while the earthen pitcher taking,
To wayside brooks, from far off fountains fed;
Then the parched lip its thirst for­ev­er slaking
Beside the fullness of the Foun­tainhead.

A little while to keep the oil from failing,
A little while faith’s flickering lamp to trim;
And then the Bridegroom’s coming footsteps hailing,
We’ll haste to meet Him with the bridal hymn.