| 1 | Since long ago at Bethany we parted, |
| | Within my heart there is a ceaseless void; |
| | How can I take my harp down from the willow? |
| | How can my songs without Thee be enjoyed? |
| | And when at night I’m keeping lonely vigil- |
| | Grown numb alike to sorrow and to cheer- |
| | Then I recall the promise of Thy coming, |
| | But sigh: O Lord, why, why Thou dost not yet appear? |
| 2 | Thy manger wakes the thought: I too am homeless; |
| | Thy cross strips earthly pleasures from my soul; |
| | Thy coming bids me seek a better country, |
| | For Thou Thyself art now my final goal. |
| | Since Thou art gone my joy has lost its flavor, |
| | My song the sweetness I would fain convey. |
| | Since Thou art gone the sense of void o’erwhelms me. |
| | Oh, how I long that Thou wilt come and not delay. |
| 3 | Though even now I know Thy loving presence, |
| | Yet in my heart there’s still a sense of lack. |
| | Enlightening and tenderest sustaining |
| | Can no more satisfy: I want Thee back. |
| | Despite Thy peace within, I still feel lonely; |
| | Despite Thy joy there still remains a sigh; |
| | When I feel most content, the silent yearning |
| | To see Thee face to face becomes an uttered cry. |
| 4 | What exile cannot but desire his homeland |
| | And long his people once again to greet? |
| | What soul on alien soil forgets his kindred? |
| | What parted lovers never yearn to meet? |
| | O Lord, how can these earthly loves and pleasures |
| | With all the joy of Thy return compare? |
| | Then, if I cannot here behold Thy countenance, |
| | What can I do but sigh till Thou, my Lord, appear? |
| 5 | Could’st Thou, O Lord, forget Thy word of promise |
| | Soon to return and take me unto Thee? |
| | Yet day by day and year by year I’ve waited |
| | And still I wait, and no return I see! |
| | Remember, Lord, the years I have been waiting |
| | While Thy dear footsteps linger far away. |
| | How long? How long? Oh! must I wait still longer |
| | Till Thou shalt come again in glorious array? |
| 6 | From generation unto generation |
| | Thy saints have come and gone, but have not seen |
| | Thy glorious promise pass into fulfilment. |
| | How long, how very long the time has been! |
| | Why cannot we, dear Lord, discern Thy footsteps? |
| | Why are the heavens still so closely sealed? |
| | Oh! must our waiting be prolonged still further |
| | Before Thou in Thy matchless splendor art revealed? |
| 7 | Lord, I recall the many years I’ve waited |
| | For Thy return-yet, Lord, not I alone, |
| | But Thy dear saints through many generations- |
| | Beseeching Thee to come back for Thine own. |
| | To countless tears and countless fervent pleadings, |
| | By Thine appearing haste to make reply. |
| | Oh, may Thou come, the echo of the ages, |
| | Come, come and answer now this mighty corp’rate cry! |
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