How Sweet to Be There

O who would remain in this prison of clay

Author: William Hunter
Published in 4 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Oh, who would remain in this prison of clay?
When friends and companions are hasting away,
Away to the climes of the blessed and free,
Where death never comes, and where pure spirits be.

Refrain:
Oh, how sweet,
Oh, how sweet, when we meet with the friends over there!
Oh, how sweet, when we meet,
And with Jesus His glory to share!

2 Oh, could we but go with the friends that we love,
And taste their enjoyments in glory above,
No more would we fancy this desert below,
Where tears of deep anguish so frequently flow. [Refrain]

3 How many are there in white garments arrayed,
Who once with us here in this wilderness strayed!
How happy are they with their pilgrimage done,
As pure as the angels, as bright as the sun! [Refrain]

Source: Gospel Jewels #5

Author: William Hunter

Hunter, William, D.D, son of John Hunter, was born near Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ireland, May 26, 1811. He removed to America in 1817, and entered Madison College in 1830. For some time he edited the Conference Journal, and the Christian Advocate. In 1855 he was appointed Professor of Hebrew in Alleghany College: and subsequently Minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Alliance, Stark Country, Ohio. He died in 1877. He edited Minstrel of Zion, 1845; Select Melodies, 1851; and Songs of Devotion, 1859. His hymns, over 125 in all, appeared in these works. Some of these have been translated into various Indian languages. The best known are :— 1. A home in heaven; what a joyful thought. Heaven a Home. From his Minstrel of Zion, 1… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: O who would remain in this prison of clay
Title: How Sweet to Be There
Author: William Hunter
Language: English
Refrain First Line: O, how sweet
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 4 of 4)
TextAudioPage Scan

Gospel Jewels #5

The Christian Melodist, a Collection of Popular Songs, for Use in Public and Social Meetings ... #d260

The Christian Psalmist #d527

TextPage Scan

The Minstrel of Zion #58

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