To the Work

I sang [this song] for the first time in the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Cornell at Long Branch. The servants gathered from all parts of the house while I was singing, and looked into the parlor where I was seated.

When I was through one of them said: That is the finest hymn I have heard for a long time; won’t you please sing it over again? I felt that this was a test case, and that if the hymn had such power over those servants it would be useful in reaching other people as well; so I published it in “Gospel Hymns” in 1875, where it became one of the best work songs for our meetings that we had.

Sankey, pp. 289–90

To the work! To the work!
We are servants of God;
Let us follow the path
That our master has trod;
With the balm of His counsel
Our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might
What our hands find to do.

Refrain

Toiling on, toiling on,
Toiling on, toiling on,
Let us hope and trust,
Let us watch and pray,
And labor till the Master comes.

To the work! To the work!
Let the hungry be fed;
To the fountain of life
Let the weary be led;
In the cross and its banner
Our glory shall be,
While we herald the tidings,
Salvation is free!

Refrain

To the work! To the work!
There is labor for all;
For the kingdom of darkness
And error shall fall;
And the love of our Father
Exalted shall be,
In the loud swelling chorus,
Salvation is free!

Refrain

To the work! To the work!
In the strength of the Lord,
And a robe and a crown
Shall our labor reward,
When the home of the faithful
Our dwelling shall be,
And we shout with the ransomed,
Salvation is free!

Refrain

Scripture Verse

Introduction

Origin of the Song

Lyrics