1 Speed away! speed away to the isles of the sea,
To the lands that are calling to you and to me,
Where souls sit in darkness, yet long for the light
Of the gospel of Jesus to scatter their night.
Oh, hear them, and pity their pleading, I pray,
Speed away, speed away, speed away!
2 Speed away! speed away! There are souls to be won
By the story of God and his Crucified Son.
Go, tell the good news to the lands o’er the wave,
And tell them that Jesus is mighty to save!
Oh, haste on the mission,—there’s death in delay,
Speed away, speed away, speed away!
3 Speed away! speed away with the message of love;
There’s great work to be done for the Father above.
Go ye forth in his name with the tidings he sends,
Bear the news of God’s love to earth’s uttermost ends.
For the sake of the souls that need saving today,
Speed away, speed away, speed away!
Source: Sunday School Voices: a collection of sacred songs #126
Rexford, Eben Eugene.M (Johnsburg, New York, July 16, 1848--October 16, 1916, Shiocton, Wisconsin). Horticulturalist and editor of a Wisconsin farm journal. Many of his verses were used to fill empty corners of the journal. He also wrote many books on gardening. Lawrence University (Appleton, Wisc.), Litt.D. Twenty-five years, organist at First Congregational Church, Shiocton.
See: Smith, Mary L.P. (1930). Eben E. Rexford; a biographical sketch. Menasha, Wis., George Banta Pub. Co.
--Leonard Ellinwood, DNAH Archives and Gabriel, Charles H. (1916). Singers and Their Songs. Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company.… Go to person page >
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