Scripture Verse

…a better country. Hebrews 11:16

Introduction

portrait
Peter P. Bilhorn
1865–1936

Words: George W. Crofts, 1891.

Music: As­cot Pe­ter P. Bil­horn (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
George W. Crofts
1842–1909

Introduction

The fol­low­ing in­ci­dent, ab­bre­vi­ate­d, which is oft­en told by an ev­an­gel­ist, sug­gest­ed the hymn.

An aged la­dy, once liv­ing in the up­per sto­ry of an old build­ing, was vis­it­ed one day by a la­dy mis­sion­a­ry, hav­ing in her com­pa­ny a well dressed wo­man. As they were as­cend­ing the first flight of stairs, the weal­thy per­son re­marked, Oh, my! how dark and drea­ry it is here!

Never mind, an­swered the oth­er. ’Tis bet­ter high­er up. When they had reached and en­tered the top room, she again re­marked to the sick saint (whose life was eb­bing away), How can you live up here, and be con­tent­ed in this dark, drea­ry, lone­some place? The dy­ing saint, point­ing hea­ven­ward, with a smile, said, ’Tis bet­ter high­er up.

Crowning Glo­ry No. 2
(Chicago, Il­li­nois: P. Bil­horn), num­ber 207

Lyrics

This world is full of care,
And bitter is life’s cup;
The cross is sometimes hard to bear,
’Tis better higher up.

Refrain

’Tis better higher up,
’Tis better higher up,
Where all is light, and peace, and joy,
’Tis better higher up.

I’ve seen my hopes decay
Like blossoms in the spring;
My dearest friends have passed away,
Earth’s treasures taken wing.

Refrain

The storms of death have blown,
But Christ, my blessèd hope,
His tender love to me hath shown,
’Tis better higher up.

Refrain

My flesh must fail, I know,
And yet I can not grieve;
The Spirit tells me I must go
With Christ my Lord to live.

Refrain

And in my home above
On joy divine I’ll sup,
And rest in God’s eternal love;
’Tis better higher up.

Refrain