The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion (New ed. thoroughly rev. and much enl.) ‎#256

256. I came to the place where the lone pilgrim lay

1.
I came to the place where the lone pilgrim lay,
And pensively stood by the tomb,
When in a low whisper I heard something say,
How sweetly I sleep here alone!

2.
The tempest may howl, and the loud thunder roar,
And gathering storms may arise,
Yet calm is my feeling, at rest is my soul,
The tears are all wiped from my eyes.

3.
The cause of my Master compelled me from home,
I bade my companions farewell;
I blest my dear children, who now for me mourn—
In far distant regions they dwell.

4.
I wandered an exile and stranger from home,
No kindred or relative nigh;
I met the contagion, and sank to the tomb,
My soul flew to mansions on high.

5.
O tell my companion and children most dear,
To weep not for me now I'm gone;
The same hand that led me through scenes most severe,
Has kindly assisted me home.

6.
And there is a crown that doth glitter and shine,
That I shall for evermore wear:
Then turn to the Savior, his love's all divine
All you that would dwell with me there.

Text Information

• First Line: I came to the place where the lone pilgrim lay
• Title: I came to the place where the lone pilgrim lay
• Meter: 11, 8, 11, 8
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1854

Tune Information

• Name: THE LONE PILGRIM
• Composer: Wm. Walker
• Meter: 11, 8, 11, 8

Tune Information:

This tune did not appear in the 1835 (first) edition of The Southern Harmony. A more likely date is 1854. The tune was first published by Thomas Commuck, though both Walker (in The Southern Harmony) and White (in The Sacred Harp, the latter beginning in the 1850 edition) laid spurious claim to it.