No. 118 Pilgrim’s Triumph, Ol 61
Heptatonic ionian, mode 3 A + b (I II III IV V VI VII)
To see a pilgrim as he dies,
With glory in his view;
To heav’n he lifts his longing eyes
And bids the world adieu.
While friends are weeping all around,
And loth to let him go,
He shouts with his expiring breath,
And leaves them all below.
O Christians, are you ready now,
To cross the rolling flood?
On Canaan’s happy shore to stand,
And see your smiling God?
The dazzling charms of that bright world
Attract my soul above;
My tongue shall shout redeeming grace,
When perfected in love.
Come on, my brethren in the Lord,
Whose hearts are join’d in one;
Hold up your heads with courage bold,
Your race is almost run:
Above the clouds behold Him stand,
And smiling bid you come;
And angels whisper you away,
To your eternal home.
“This enrapturing song [the text] was written by Rev. Jno. Adam Granade, about 1802”, the compiler of the Olive Leaf says. And he adds, “Structure of this air learned of a negro, Mark Hull, 1843.” The tune belongs to the ‘Hallelujah’ group, which see for many related tunes.