I'm fading away to the land of the blest

1 I'm fading away to the land of the blest,
Like the last lingering hues of the even;
Reclining my head on my kind angel's breast,
I soar to my own native heaven.
My warfare is finish'd, the battle is won,
To a crown and a throne I aspire;
My coursers are brighter than steeds of the suns,
I mount in a chariot of fire.

2 The world is fast sinking away from my sight,
A trifle appear all its treasures;
I see them from hence by eternity's light,--
How vanish its pomp and its pleasures!
How faint are the notes of the trumpet of fame
Rehearsing its soul-flatt'ring story!
How tarnished the lustre of each noble name!
A meteor flash is its glory!

3 But there is one spot--one most beautiful spot
Which my heart lingers o'er with emotion;
Its peaceful enjoyments shall ne'er be forgot;
'Tis the place of the spirit's devotion.
I see it "outstretched in its loveliness," lie,
Like a garden of lilies and roses;
More charming to me, as it fades from the eye,
Than the valleys of Canaan to Moses.

4 Lo! upward I gaze, and the glory supreme,
That illumines the heights of elysian,
Shines down through the veil--there is life in each beam--
It renders immortal my vision.
The notes of soft melody fall on my ear;
Harmonious the cadence and measure;
'Tis the voice of the harpers on Zion I hear;
Full high swells their chorus of pleasure.

5 Lo! there are the towers of my future abode,
The city on high and eternal!
See, there is the Eden--the river of God!
And the trees ever bearing and vernal.
Haste, haste with me onward, companion and guide,
Let me join in that heavenly matin;
Fly wide ye bright gates! swiftly through them I ride,
Triumphant o'er sin, death, and Satan.


Source: The Minstrel of Zion: a book of religious songs, accompanied with appropriate music, chiefly original #100