From Conjubilant With Song: Safely Reach My Home:
.... A simple, four stanza text by Isaac Watts, first published in 1707, which appeared under the epigraph The hope of heaven our support under trials on earth.... It could be set to many different tunes in Common Meter (8.6.8.6.) such as ST. ANNE or WINCHESTER OLD, tunes which were known in Watts's time. However, it has become more familiar in this country with a folk tune from Scotland which was arranged in an early American tune collection titled Kentucky Harmony (1817).
When I can read my title clear To mansions in the skies, I'll bid farewell to every fear, And wipe my weeping eyes. And wipe my weeping eyes, And wipe my weeping eyes I'll bid farewell to every fear, And wipe my weeping eyes. | Let cares, like a wild deluge come, And storms of sorrow fall! May I but safely reach my home, My God, my heav’n, my all. My God, my heav'n, my all, My God, my heav'n, my all, May I but safely reach my home, Ay God, my heav'n, my all. |
Should earth against my soul engage, And fiery darts be hurled, Then I can smile at Satan’s rage, And face a frowning world. And face a frowning world, And face a frowning world, Then I can smile at Satan’s rage, And face a frowning world. | There shall I bathe my weary soul In seas of heav’nly rest, And not a wave of trouble roll, Across my peaceful breast. Across my peaceful breast, Across my peaceful breast, And not a wave of trouble roll, Across my peaceful breast. |
Isaac Watts, 1707
Tune: PISGAH (8.6.8.6.6.6.8.6.)
Scottish tune, arr. Joseph C. Lowry, 1817
"When I Can Read My Title Clear" at Cyberhymnal.
Conjubilant With Song: Safely Reach My Home
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