1. Ever since I have been
Living in this world of sin,
I have had trials almost ev'ry day.
Always something, more or less,
To destroy my happiness,
And this is how I've come all the way.
Chorus:
I have started out to find a better home,
Where the trials of the world can never come.
There with relatives and friends,
I shall be so happy then
in the presence of the Lord all the time.
2. It was when I was young
I began to think upon
My condition as a sinner unsave'd;
And at once made up my mind,
while i had sufficient time.
I would bow on my knee and pray.
3. When I realized I had
Found the Lord, I was so glad,
For I thought all my trials would be done;
That my way would always be
One continuous jubilee,
But I found out my trials had just begun.
4. Old satan tried to get
Me to live a hypocrite,
And to only have an outward form,
He said time had changed the way,
and in this enlightened day
To do whate'er you please is no harm.
5. I tried it for awhile,
Keeping up with every style,
And was trying to get the crown without the cross;
I found it would not do,
For the word of God is true,
And unless I lived upright I would be lost.
6. Then I put the world aside,
Taking Jesus for my guide,
I began to try and walk the narrow way;
It is tedious, I admit,
But I am not weary yet;
I shall travel on until the perfect day.
Source: Soul Echoes: a collection of songs for religious meetings (No. 2) #10