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I’m a Pilgrim
Verse 1
I'm a pilgrim, and I'm a stranger;
I can tarry, I can tarry but a night;
Do not detain me, for I am going
To where the fountains are ever flowing.
I can tarry, I can tarry but a night;
Do not detain me, for I am going
To where the fountains are ever flowing.
Refrain
I'm a pilgrim, and I'm a stranger;
I can tarry, I can tarry but a night.
I can tarry, I can tarry but a night.
Verse 2
There the glory is ever shining!
O, my longing heart, my longing heart is there;
Here in this country so dark and dreary,
I long have wandered forlorn and weary.
O, my longing heart, my longing heart is there;
Here in this country so dark and dreary,
I long have wandered forlorn and weary.
Verse 3
There's the city to which I journey;
My Redeemer, my Redeemer is its light!
There is no sorrow, nor any sighing,
Nor any tears there, or any dying.
My Redeemer, my Redeemer is its light!
There is no sorrow, nor any sighing,
Nor any tears there, or any dying.
Verse 4
Farewell, neighbors, with tears I’ve warned you,
I must leave you, I must leave you and be gone!
With this your portion, your heart’s desire,
Why will you perish in raging fire?
I must leave you, I must leave you and be gone!
With this your portion, your heart’s desire,
Why will you perish in raging fire?
Verse 5
Father, mother, and sister, brother!
If you will not journey with me, I must go!
Now since your vain hopes you will thus cherish,
Should I, too, linger, and with you perish?
If you will not journey with me, I must go!
Now since your vain hopes you will thus cherish,
Should I, too, linger, and with you perish?
Verse 6
Farewell, drear earth, by sin so blighted,
In immortal beauty soon you’ll be arrayed;
He who has formed thee will soon restore thee,
And then the dread curse shall nevermore be.
In immortal beauty soon you’ll be arrayed;
He who has formed thee will soon restore thee,
And then the dread curse shall nevermore be.
Text by Mary Stewart (published 1843), often sung to an adaptation of Franz Schubert's melody; the hymn expresses the Christian as a pilgrim and stranger seeking a heavenly home.