The Southern harmony, and musical companion containing a choice collection of tunes, hymns, psalms, odes, and anthems |
 | 1. |
[Dark and thorny is the desert] |
| 2. |
|
 | The Southern harmony, and musical companion |  |
83
[Dark and thorny is the desert]
[1]
Dark and thorny is the desert,Through which pilgrims make their way;
But beyond this vale of sorrows
Lie the fields of endless day.
Fiends, loud howling through the desert,
Make them tremble as they go;
And the fiery darts of Satan
Often bring their courage low.
2
O, young soldiers, are you wearyOf the troubles of the way?
Does your strength begin to fail you,
And your vigour to decay?
Jesus, Jesus, will go with you,
He will lead you to his throne;
He who dyed his garments for you,
And the wine-press trod alone.
3
He whose thunder shakes creation,He who bids the planets roll;
He who rides upon the tempest,
And whose sceptre sways the whole.
Round him are ten thousand angels,
Ready to obey command;
They are always hovering round you,
Till you reach the heav'nly land.
4
There, on flowery hills of pleasure,In the fields of endless rest,
Love, and joy, and peace shall ever
Reign and triumph in your breast
Who can paint those scenes of glory,
Where the ransom'd dwell on high?
Where the golden harps for ever
Sound redemption through the sky?
5
Millions there of flaming seraphsFly across the heavenly plain;
There they sing immortal praises—
Glory! glory! is their strain:
But methinks a sweeter concert
Makes the heavenly arches ring.
And a song is heard in Zion
Which the angels cannot sing.
6
See the heavenly host, in rapture,Gaze upon this shining band;
Wondering at their costly garments,
And the laurels in their hand!
There, upon the golden pavement,
See the ransom'd march along,
While the splendid courts of glory
Sweetly echo to their song.
7
O their crowns, how bright they sparkle!Such as monarchs never wear;
They are gone to heav'nly pastures—
Jesus is their Shepherd there.
Hail, ye happy, happy spirits!
Welcome to the blissful plain!—
Glory, honour, and salvation!
Reign, sweet Shepherd, ever reign
| The Southern harmony, and musical companion | |