The Lutheran Hymnary ‎#504

504. A pilgrim and a stranger

1 A pilgrim and a stranger,
I journey here below,
Far distant is my country,
The home to which I go.
Here I must toil and travail,
Oft weary and oppressed,
But there my God shall lead me
To everlasting rest.

2 I've met with storms and danger,
E'en from my early years,
With enemies and conflicts,
With fightings and with fears.
There's nothing here that tempts me
To wish a longer stay,
So I must hasten forward,
No halting or delay.

3 It is a well-worn pathway--
Many have gone before;
Thy holy saints and prophets,
The patriarchs of yore.
They trod the toilsome journey
In patience and in faith;
And them I fain would follow,
Like them in life and death.

4 Who would share Abraham's blessing,
Must Abraham's path pursue.
A stranger and a pilgrim,
Like him, must journey through.
The foes must be encountered,
The dangers must be passed;
Only a faithful soldier,
Receive the crown at last.

5 So I must hasten forwards,--
Thank God, the end will come!
This land of my sojourning
Is not my destined home.
That evermore abideth,
Jerusalem above,
The everlasting city,
The land of light and love.

6 There still my thoughts are dwelling,
'Tis there I long to be;
Come, Lord, and call Thy servant
To blessedness with Thee!
Come, bid my toils be ended,
Let all my wanderings cease;
Call from the wayside lodging
To the sweet home of peace.

7 There I shall dwell for ever,
No more a stranger guest,
With all Thy blood-bought children
In everlasting rest;
The pilgrim toils forgotten,
The pilgrim conflicts o'er,
All earthly griefs behind us,
Eternal joys before!

Text Information

• First Line: A pilgrim and a stranger
• Author: P. Gerhardt (1666)
• Meter: 7, 6. 8L.
• Publication Date: 1913
• Topic: The Church Year: Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity; Pilgrimage

Tune Information

• Name: [A pilgrim and a stranger]
• Meter: 7, 6. 8L.
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: Welsh Hymn Melody