1 We are faithful, earnest sowers, scatt’ring seed along the way,
And we ask a gracious blessing from on high;
There’s a cheery hope inspires us, as we labor, watch, and pray;
We are sowing for the harvest by and by.
Refrain:
By and by, by and by,
When the glory-bells shall ring beyond the sky;
By and by, by and by,
We are sowing for the harvest by and by.
2 There is One who stays beside us, who will all our toil direct,
He will help us as the precious seed we sow;
From the stormy blight of winter will the springing grain protect;
He will cause his word to multiply and grow. [Refrain]
3 Even here the first fruits ripen, as the harvest days go by,
We may reap and glean where other hands have sown;
While we praise him for the mercy that enriches you and I,
There are joys beyond that we not yet have known. [Refrain]
4 Then, we’ll sow the seed with patience, trusting ever in the Lord,
Faithful while the golden moments quickly fly;
On the shining hills of glory, we shall reap the great reward;
We are sowing for the harvest by and by. [Refrain]
Source: Sunday School Voices: a collection of sacred songs #80
Pseudonym: Lidie H. Edmunds.
Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was born in Philadelphia 28 June 1851. She was educated in the public schools and after graduation from high school became a teacher. However, she developed a spinal malady which cut short her career and made her a shut-in for many years. During her convalescence, she studied English literature. She felt a need to be useful to her church and began writing poems for the primary department. she went on to teach Sunday school, take an active part in the Philadelphia Elementary Union and become Superintendent of the primary department of Calvin Presbyterian Church.
Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (… Go to person page >
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