1 We know not why dark clouds o’ercast,
And hide from us the sky;
But God will show us why at last,
Not now, but by and by.

Chorus:
Not now, not now,
Not now, but by and by;
God’s wondrous plans we all shall know,
Not now, but by and by.

2 We know not now why grief and pain,
So often bring a sigh,
But God sometime will make it plain,
Not now, but by and by. [Chorus]

3 We cannot tell why ev’ry day,
We see the weeping eye;
But God will wipe all tears away,
Not now, but by and by. [Chorus]

4 We do not know just what is meant,
By “Mansions” in the sky;
But we will know when life is spent,
Not now, but by and by. [Chorus]