You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

When I cross the swelling tide

Representative Text

1 When I cross the swelling tide,
And the gates swing open wide,
‘Twill be joy to meet my Saviour first of all;
When the saints my welcome sing,
And the harps of heaven ring,
‘Twill be joy to meet my Saviour first of all.

Refrain:
‘Twill be joy, ‘twill be joy,
‘Twill be joy to meet my Saviour first of all;
‘Twill be joy, ‘twill be joy,
‘Twill be joy to meet my Saviour first of all.

2 When the city I shall see,
Where I’ll spend eternity,
‘Twill be joy to meet my Saviour first of all;
When I hear the angel throng
Sing the everlasting song,
‘Twill be joy to meet my Saviour first of all. [Refrain]

3 In that land of endless day,
Where all tears are wiped away,
‘Twill be joy to meet my Saviour first of all;
By the crystal river side,
Where the ransom’d hosts abide,
‘Twill be joy to meet my Saviour first of all. [Refrain]

4 When my life work here is done,
And my starry crown is won,
‘Twill be joy to meet my Saviour first of all;
When I stand before the throne,
Yonder in my happy home,
‘Twill be joy to meet my Saviour first of all. [Refrain]

Source: New Songs of Pentecost No. 2 #30

Author: Frank E. Roush

(no biographical information available about Frank E. Roush.) Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: When I cross the swelling tide
Author: Frank E. Roush
Refrain First Line: 'Twill be joy
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 2 of 2)
Page Scan

Light and Life Songs No. 3 #11

TextAudioPage Scan

New Songs of Pentecost No. 2 #30

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.