The Cyber Hymnal ‎#8601

8601. How Long, O How Long?

1 How long, O how long must our pleading be vain?
How long till the Christian shall loosen the chain
That binds us in in ignorance, mighty and strong;
How long, O ye Christians, how long, O how long?

2 How long must we wait, and continue to cry,
"Come over and help us," O come ere we die?
O where is salvation, so full and so free?
We’re waiting, O Christian, God’s people to be.

3 O heed thou our pleading, nor longer delay;
Our people are heathen, they know not the way;
Then come, quickly come, bring your message of peace,
To save us from ruin—our souls to release.

4 Despised and forsaken, no Bible, no God;
We long to be free from idolatry’s rod;
O hear us, while out of the darkness we cry:
"Come over and help us," O come, ere we die.

Text Information

• First Line: How long, O how long must our pleading be vain?
• Title: How Long, O How Long?
• Author: Isaiah Baltzell
• Meter: 11.11.11.10
• Language: English
• Source: Missionary Songs (New York: Lorenz & Company, 1880)
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Some hymnals show the lyricist as "Carlin," one of Baltzell's pseudonyms

Tune Information

• Name: SALTO
• Composer: Isaiah Baltzell (1880)
• Meter: 11.11.11.10
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain