Hymn/Song Information

VAIN WORLD ADIEU

When for eternal worlds we steer,
And seas are calm and skies are clear,
And faith in lively exercise,
And distant hills of Canaan rise,
The soul for joy then claps her wings,
And loud her hallelujah sings,
Vain world, adieu.

With cheerful hope her eyes explore
Each landmark on the distant shore:
The trees of life, the pastures green,
The crystal stream, delightful scene.
Again for joy she claps her wings,
And loud her hallelujah sings,
Vain world, adieu.

The nearer still she draws to land,
More eager all her powers expand;
With steady helm, and free bent sail,
Her anchor drops within the veil.
Again for joy she claps her wings,
And her celestial sonnet sings,
I’m there at last.

---Alternative verses---

When for eternal worlds we steer,
And seas are calm, and skies are clear,
And faith, in lively exercise,
Sees distant fields of Canaan rise,
The soul for joy then spreads her wings
And loud her lovely sonnet sings,
Vain world adieu.

With cheerful hope, her eyes explore
Each land-mark on the distant shore,
The trees of life, the pastures green,
The golden streets, the crystal stream;
Again for joy she spreads her wings,
And loud her lovely sonnet sings,
I’m going home.

The nearer still she draws to land,
More eager all her powers expand;
With steady helm, and free bent sail,
Her anchor drops within the vail—
And now for joy she folds her wings,
And her celestial sonnet sings,
I’m safe at home.