1 Tho’ I am a pilgrim and a stranger here,
Tho’ my journey leads me o’er the desert drear;
Still I have this tho’t to comfort and to cheer;
Each day I’m drawing nearer to the homeland.

Refrain:
Nearer to the portals where the angels stand,
Nearer to the dear ones in that happy land.
Nearer to the mansions on the golden strand,
I’m one day’s journey nearer to the homeland.

2 What then does it matter if the skies be gray?
Tho’ the thorns and briers spring up along my way?
If at twilight hour my happy heart can say,
“I’m one day’s journey nearer to the homeland.” [Refrain]

3 So with joy upon my pilgrimage I go,
Fearing neither storms nor trials here below;
For whate’er befall me only this I know,
Each day I’m drawing nearer to the homeland. [Refrain]