Scripture Verse

You shall be with Me in paradise. Luke 23:43

Introduction

Words: Will­iam D. Mac­La­gan, 1869. First pub­lished in Church Bells, 1870.

Music: Jer­vaulx Ab­bey French psal­ter tune, 1562. Adapt­ed by Al­ex­an­der Gal­lo­way, 1912 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

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

portrait
William D. MacLagan (1826–1910)
National Portrait Gallery

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Lyrics

The saints of God! their con­flict past,
And life’s long bat­tle won at last,
No more they need the shield or sword,
They cast them down be­fore their Lord:
O hap­py saints! for­ev­er blest,
At Je­sus feet’ how safe your rest!

The saints of God! their wan­der­ings done,
No more their wea­ry course they run,
No more they faint, no more they fall,
No foes op­press, no fears appall:
O hap­py saints! for­ev­er blest,
In that dear home how sweet your rest!

The saints of God! life’s voy­age o’er,
Safe landed on that bliss­ful shore,
No stor­my tem­pests now they dread,
No roar­ing bil­lows lift their head:
O hap­py saints! for­ev­er blest,
In that calm ha­ven of your rest!

The saints of God their vi­gil keep,
While yet their mor­tal bo­dies sleep,
Till from the dust they too shall rise
And soar tri­um­phant to the skies:
O hap­py saints! re­joice and sing:
He quick­ly comes, your Lord and king!

O God of saints! to Thee we cry;
O Sav­ior! plead for us on high;
O Ho­ly Ghost! our guide and friend,
Grant us Thy grace till life shall end;
That with all the saints our rest may be
In that bright pa­ra­dise with Thee!