I see the crowds of earth go by,
I hear the world’s loud trumpet call;
Though through its midst my path should lie,
Yet I must live above it all.
The sorrows of the daily life,
The shadows o’er my path which fall,
Too oft obscure the glory’s light,
Until I rise above them all.
Until upon the mountain height,
I stand, my God! with Thee alone,
Bathed in the fullest, clearest Light—
The glory which surrounds the Throne.
Here hushed are all the sounds of earth—
The laugh of pleasure, moan of pain;
The vain deluding shouts of mirth
Here fall upon my ear in vain.
Calm in Thy secret presence, Lord,
I rest this weary soul of mine;
Feed on the fullness of Thy word,
And die to all the things of time.
Learning that word, so wondrous deep—
To live in joy and grief the same—
Weeping, as though we did not weep—
Gaining, as though we did not gain.
Learning to live, through doubt and fear,
Far above every scene below,
With the one thought— “lie is not here”
Throwing a shade on all below.
Oh! take my fevered hands in thine,
And keep me, Master, nearer Thee,
Walking above the things of time,
In closest fellowship with Thee.
With Thee, above the clouds and gloom
That shade and dim this lower life;
Walking with Thee—with Thee alone—
Above the storm, above the strife.
The child of God must walk alone,
If he would live and walk with Thee;
And only to such hearts are known
The joys of Thy blest company.
Along with Thee, Ο Master! where
The light of earthly glory dies;
Misunderstood by all, I dare
To do what Thine own heart will prize.
Such be my path through life down here—
One long, close, lonely walk with Thee;
Until, past every doubt and fear,
Thy face in light above I see.