World, farewell! Of thee I'm tired, Now toward heaven my way I take; There is peace the long-desired, Lofty calm that nought can break; World, with thee is war and strife, Thou with cheating hopes art rife, But in heaven is no alloy, Only peace and love and joy. | When I reach that home of gladness, I shall feel no more this load, Feel no sickness, want, or sadness, Resting in the arms of God. In the world woes follow fast, And a bitter death comes last, But in heaven shall nought destroy Endless peace and love and joy. | What are earthly joys? a weary Chase of mist, or wind-borne foam! In this desert black and dreary Sins and vices have their home; 208 Thine, O World, are war and strife, Mocking pleasures, dying life; But in heaven is no annoy, Only peace and love and joy. | Oh the music and the singing Of the host redeem'd by love! Oh the hallelujahs ringing Through the halls of light above! Thine, O World, the scornful sneer, Misery thy reward, and fear; But in heaven is no annoy, Only peace and love and joy. | Here is nought but care and mourning, Comes a joy, it will not stay; Fairly shines the sun at dawning, Night will soon o'ercloud the day; World, with thee we weep and pine, Gnawing care and grief are thine; But in heaven is no alloy, Only peace and love and joy. | Onwards then! not long I wander, Ere my Saviour comes for me, And with Him abiding yonder All His glory I shall see; For there's nought but sorrow here, Toil and pain and many a fear, But in heaven is no annoy, Only peace and love and joy. | 209 Well for him whom death has landed Safely on yon blessed shore, Where in joyful worship banded, Sing the faithful evermore; For the world hath strife and war, All her works and hopes they mar, But in heaven is no annoy, Only peace and love and joy. | Time, thou speedest on but slowly, Hours, how tardy is your pace, Ere with Him the High and Holy I hold converse face to face; World, with partings thou art rife, Fill'd with tears and storms and strife; But in heaven can nought destroy Endless peace and love and joy. | Therefore will I now prepare me, That my work may stand His doom, And when all is sinking round me, I may hear not "Go"--but "Come!" World, the voice of grief is here, Outward seeming, care, and fear, But in heaven is no alloy, Only peace and love and joy! | |