Happy Town of Salem

Happy town of Salem, set on Zion's hill

Author: Louis F. Benson (1897)
Tune: HAPPY TOWN OF SALEM
Published in 10 hymnals

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Representative Text

1. Happy town of Salem, set on Zion’s hill!
Happy hearts of pilgrims, could they see it still!
He that follows Jesus, He that dares the right,
Sees the lights of Salem gleam across the night.

2. Happy town of Salem, with the jasper wall!
In its many mansions there is room for all.
Come to Me, says Jesus, I will give you rest,
And the town of Salem gathers all the blest.

3. Happy town of Salem, happy little feet
Of the children playing in the golden street!
Let them come, says Jesus, and forbid them not;
But the proud in Salem have no part or lot.

4. Happy town of Salem, with its open gates!
Happy are the pilgrims whom a welcome waits!
In the name of Jesus, they an entrance claim,
And the guards of Salem answer, In His name.

5. Happy town of Salem, vision true of peace,
Seen above earth’s strivings, steadfast when they cease!
Take thy cross, says Jesus, and the narrow way
Brings the feet to Salem at the break of day.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #2137

Author: Louis F. Benson

Benson, Louis FitzGerald, D.D., was born at Philadelphia, Penn., July 22, 1855, and educated at the University of Penn. He was admitted to the Bar in 1877, and practised until 1884. After a course of theological studies he was ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia North, in 1888. His pastorate of the Church of the Redeemer, Germantown, Phila., extended from his ordination in 1888 to 1894, when he resigned and devoted himself to literary and Church work at Philadelphia. He edited the series of Hymnals authorised for use by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., as follows:— (1) The Hymnal, Phila., 1895; (2) The Chapel Hymnal, 1898; and (3) The School Hymnal, 1899. Dr. Benson's hymnological writings are somewh… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Happy town of Salem, set on Zion's hill
Title: Happy Town of Salem
Author: Louis F. Benson (1897)
Meter: 6.5.6.5 D
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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The Cyber Hymnal #2137
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The Cyber Hymnal #2137

Include 9 pre-1979 instances
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