“Longer upon this earth I would not stay:
My pulse beats low;
And angel forms, too, beckon me away—
E’en let me go!
Shadows pass over me, like a summer’s dream,
And they so vague, yet clear;
Come, now I stand by Jordan’s welcome stream?
My drooping soul to cheer:
Let me go home!
Why pray that I may live? I shall not die,
But only sleep.
Nay, dearest sister, do those tear-drops dry:
Oh, do not weep!
A few short moments, and my race is run;
Then, like a child at rest,
I’ll lay my weary head, when all is done,
Upon my Saviour’s breast!
Let me go home!
If I, with joy, the birds in you blue sky
Their strains admire,
How—with what rapture shall I join on high
The heavenly choir!
If on you orb I gaze with rapture true,
How, in that world so bright,
Shall I rejoice, when God, its King, I view?
The Lamb thereof, the Light!
Let me go home!
How calm the dying taper’s flick’ring light!
So gently soft!
The ransom’d soul prepares to wing its flight,
And soar aloft!
I know, within those glorious realms above,
A mansion waits me there—
All purchased for me by redeeming love—
And joys without compare:
Let me go home!
Say, what was that? Methought I heard a voice
So soft and sweet:
‘Attune your harps! He comes! Rejoice! Rejoice
His spirit greet!’
I see—I hear them come—you seraphs bright,
My soul to bear away!
All hail! ye mansions of eternal light—
Of everlasting day!
Let me go home!”