The union band

1 Oh yes, I'll join the union band,
My heart's already there;
And travel with them to that land,
For ever bright and fair.

Chorus:
"Oh hail! hail! hail!
I come to join the union band,
Oh hail! hail! hail!
I'm on my journey home!"

2 I'm tired of sin and sinful mirth,
And senseless frantic joys;
How empty all the things of earth!
At best but gaudy toys. [Chorus]

3 I'll join the band whose hearts are one
In grief, and joy, and love;
Whose hopes mount up and seize the throne
Reserved for them above. [Chorus]

4 They freely weep with those who weep,
And joy with those who joy;
A common fund of love they keep,
Which yields them sigh for sigh. [Chorus]

5 Oh yes, I'll join that union band,
I come, my friends, I come;
Here is my willing heart and hand,
To travel with you home. [Chorus]

6 I'd rather by your threshold stay,
A porter at your door,
Than live in mansions great and gay,
And be as heretofore. [Chorus]

7 One day in such a place is worth
A thousand other days:
'Tis here I date my second birth--
My soul's own native place. [Chorus]

8 'Tis here my better friends I meet--
Friends of my heart and soul:
With them in heavenly places sit--
With them my name enrol. [Chorus]

9 There, in the register of love,
For ever let it stand,
Until transcribed to that above,
With Christ's own wounded hand. [Chorus]

Source: The Minstrel of Zion: a book of religious songs, accompanied with appropriate music, chiefly original #122