1 O tell me of heaven, sweet heaven,
The home of the pure and the blest,
Where sorrow and sin cannot enter,
Where the weary forever shall rest.
Let me hear of that heavenly city,
Where all is immortal and fair;
And I'll flee from all earthly enchantments,
And earnestly long to be there,
And earnestly long to be there.
2 Let others seek earthly possessions,
And lay up their treasures below;
I have heard of a land that is better,
And to seek it with ardor I'll go.
I have heard of a world robed in glory,
And freed from temptation and care,
Where sickness and death may not enter,
And I long, O, I long to be there.
3 Ambition may spread her bright phantoms,
And whisper of honor and fame,
She may lure on her thousands to labor,
To win an illustrious name;
Be this my ambition, to follow
The path my Redeemer has trod,
Be an heir of his heavenly kingdom,
And dwell in the city of God.
4 Though the way of the wicked may prosper,
And be sprinkled with flowers so gay,
Though wide be the path that they travel,
And pleasant and easy the way,
Though no troubles their pathway encompass,
Triumphant through life though they go,
I'll envy them not, for their journey
Ends only in sorrow and woe.
5 Let me enter the gate that is narrow,
The way that with danger is spread,
And though rugged and dark be my pathway,
One bright ray is over it shed;
For I hear the sweet voice of my Saviour,
Saying, "Fear not, for I am thy God;
I know thy temptations and trials,
For I the rough pathway have trod."
6 Dear Saviour, thy promise is precious,
Thy guidance I evermore crave:
O help me to walk in thy footsteps,
And trust in thy power to save:
O give me a place in thy kingdom,
When life with its turmoil is o'er;
Let me dwell with the King in his beauty,
And I ask, O, I ask for no more.