It Is Better Farther On

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Oft I hear hope sweetly singing, Softly in an undertone

Alterer: James L. Nicholson (pub.1875); Alterer: Anonymous (pub.1897)
Tune: [Hark! I hear Hope sweetly singing]
Published in 13 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Choral
	Farther On

Representative Text

1 Hark! I hear Hope sweetly singing
Softly in an undertone,
Singing as if God had taught her,
“It is better farther on.”
Night and day I hear her singing—
Singing while I sit alone,
Singing so my heart may hear it,
“It is better farther on.”

2 When my faith took hold on Jesus,
Light divine within me shone,
And I know since that glad moment,
“It is better farther on.”
I have plunged into the fountain,
Flowing free for everyone;
I am saved and Hope is singing,
“It is better farther on.”

3 Farther on, but how much farther?
Count the milestones one by one;
No, no counting, only trusting—
“It is better farther on.”
Rest, my soul, in hope forever,
all my doubts and fears are gone;
Jesus is my Savior, Keeper—
“It is better farther on.”

Source: Timeless Truths #343

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Alterer: James L. Nicholson

James L Nicholson United Kingdom/USA 1828-1876. Born in Ireland, he emigrated to the United States around age 25. He lived in Philadelphia, PA, worked as a postal clerk, and was a member of the Wharton Street Methodist Episcopal Church there for about 20 years, where he taught Sunday school, led singing in church, and assisted in evangelical work. This was also hymn writer, William J Kirkpatrick’s, church. Around 1871 he moved to Washington, DC, and worked as a postal clerk there. In addition to his hymn writing, he also wrote several books, one on birds and their care, one on forensic medicine. He died in Washington, DC, but was buried in Philadelphia, PA. John Perry… Go to person page >

Alterer: Anonymous

In some hymnals, the editors noted that a hymn's author is unknown to them, and so this artificial "person" entry is used to reflect that fact. Obviously, the hymns attributed to "Author Unknown" "Unknown" or "Anonymous" could have been written by many people over a span of many centuries. Go to person page >

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First Line:	Oft I hear hope sweetly singing, Softly in an undertone
Title:	It Is Better Farther On
Alterer:	Anonymous (pub.1897)
Alterer:	James L. Nicholson (pub.1875)
Meter:	8.7.8.7 D
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	It is better farther on
Copyright:	Public Domain