The Cyber Hymnal ‎#10574

10574. Not Now, But By And By

1 I saw the reapers one by one
Their sheaves in triumph bear;
I knew their labor at an end,
And prayed their joy to share;
"Be thou content, and bide thy time,"
I heard a voice reply;
"Thou too shalt go where they have gone,
Not now, but by and by."

Refrain:
"Not now, but by and by,"
I heard a voice reply;
"There’s home and rest, and joy for thee,
Not now, but by and by."

2 "Dear Lord," I said, "Thy precious words
My waning strength renew;
But O, I grieve and mourn to think
My harvest sheaves are few."
"Toil on," the same sweet voice replied,
Thy days are gliding by,
And thou shalt join the reapers’ song,
Not now, but by and by. [Refrain]

3 "No more, no more, dear Lord," I said,
"Will I impatient be;
But through Thy grace I’ll do my work,
And leave it all with Thee."
Tho’ gath’ring clouds may sometimes cast
Dark shadows o’er the sky,
My feet shall tread the fields of light,
Not now, but by and by. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: I saw the reapers one by one
• Title: Not Now, But By And By
• Author: James Elliot (1888)
• Refrain First Line: Not now, but by and by
• Language: English
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: [I saw the reapers one by one]
• Composer: John Robson Sweney
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: Public Domain