The music of his steps was sought

The music of his steps was sought

Author: William Hunter
Tune: THE ITINERANT'S DEATH
Published in 2 hymnals

Representative Text

1 The music of his steps was sought,
His time had come, but he came not;
His little ones were wont to greet
The sound of his returning feet:
They waited long, were waiting still,
To see him hasting o'er the hill,
Across the brook, and to the door,
His manly face with joy spread o'er.

2 He was a faithful man of God,
And in his Saviour's footsteps trod;
Stern duty bade him often stray
From those who near his bosom lay:
But when from anxious toils return'd,
Kind hearts with strong affection burn'd;
The husband's and the father's voice,
In every ear pour'd richest joys.

3 But ah! those ears no more shall hear
That voice to wife and children dear;
Those eyes of love shall never more
Look on that face with joy spread o'er;
Shall never see their loved one come,
To cheer their hearth and bless their home:
Low lies his form beneath the sod;
High lives his spirit with his God.

4 Yet still they look with glistening eye,
Till lo! a herald hastens nigh;
He comes the tale of wo to tell,
How he, their prop and glory fell;
How died he in a stranger's room,
How strangers laid him in the tomb,
How spake he with his latest breath,
And loved and bless'd them all in death.

Source: The Minstrel of Zion: a book of religious songs, accompanied with appropriate music, chiefly original #157

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: The music of his steps was sought
Author: William Hunter
Copyright: Public Domain

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A Collection of Hymns, for the use of the United Brethren in Christ #380

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The Minstrel of Zion #157

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