Scripture Verse

One soweth, and another reapeth. John 4:37

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: Will­iam A. Spen­cer, 1886 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
William A. Spencer
1840–1901

Lyrics

The seed I have scattered
Iin springtime with weeping,
And watered with tears
And with dews from on high;
Another may shout
When the harvester’s reaping,
Shall gather my grain
In the sweet by and by.

Refrain

Over and over, yes, deeper and deeper
My heart is pierced through
With life’s sorrowing cry,
But the tears of the sower
And songs of the reaper
Shall mingle together in joy by and by.
By and by, by and by,
By and by, by and by,
Yes, the tears of the sower
And songs of the reaper
Shall mingle together in joy by and by.

Another may reap
What in springtime I’ve planted,
Another rejoice
In the fruit of my pain,
Not knowing my tears
When in summer I fainted
While toiling sad-hearted
In the sunshine and rain.

Refrain

The thorns will have choked
And the summers suns blasted
The most of the seed
Which in springtime I’ve sown;
But the Lord who has watched
While my weary toil lasted
Will give me a harvest
For what I have done.

Refrain