Words by Anne R. Smith
Music by George Coles
SDA Hymnal (1985) Hymn #441
SDA Hymnal (1941) Hymn #371
[Verse 1]
G D7
I saw one weary, sad, and torn,
G D7
With eager steps press on the way,
G D7
Who long the hallowed cross had born,
G C G D G
Still looking for the promised day;
G D7
While many a line of grief and care,
G D Em D
Upon his brow was furrowed there;
G D D7
I asked what buoyed his spirits up,
G C G D G
“O this” said he-“the blessed hope.”
[Verse 2]
G D7
And one I saw, with sword and shield,
G D7
Who boldly braved the world’s cold frown,
G D7
And fought, unyielding, on the field,
G C G D G
To win an ev-er-last-ing crown.
G D7
Though worn with toil, oppressed by foes,
G D Em D
No murmur from his heart arose;
G D D7
I asked what buoyed his spirits up,
G C G D G
“O this!” said he-“the blessed hope.”
[Verse 3]
G D7
And there was one who left behind
G D7
The cherished friends of early years,
G D7
And honor, pleasure, wealth re-signed,
G C G D G
To tread the path bedewed with tears.
G D7
Through trials deep and conflict sore,
G D Em D
Yet still a smile of joy he wore;
G D D7
O! what can bouy the spirit up?
G C G D G
‘Tis this a-lone--the blessed hope.
[Verse 4]
G D7
While pilgrims here we journey on
G D7
In this dark vale of sin and gloom,
G D7
Through tribulation, hate, and scorn,
G C G D G
Or through the por-tals of the tomb,
G D7
Till our returning King shall come
G D Em D
To take His exile captives home,
G D D7
O! what can buoy the spirits up?
G C G D G
‘Tis this a-lone – the blessed hope.