Verse 1
Here I am a passing stranger, (Heb. 11:13, I Pet. 2:11)
Far away my native land; (Heb. 11:14-16)
O’er the wide and stormy ocean,
Where lies Canaan’s happy strand. (Num. 14:7-8, Deut. 8:7-9)
Raging storms of strong temptation
Drove me from my home astray: (James 1:14, Luke 15:13)
Bear me, balmy southern breezes,
To its verdant shores away!
Verse 2
Spite of waves and counter-currents
Rolling o’er me from each side,
Through the seas and storms opposing,
I shall stem the swelling tide. (Isa. 43:2)
Than the floods thy word is stronger—
Stronger than the ’whelming wave: (Ps. 89:8-9, Ps. 93:3-4)
All my hope I calmly venture
On thy promise, Lord, to save.
Verse 3
Yea, methinks I catch already
Fragrant perfumes from the land, (II Cor. 2:14)
Wafted by celestial breezes;
Surely it is near at hand.
O could I its coast discover,
Blessed country free from strife;
There my dearest friends are dwelling,
There is everlasting life!
Verse 4
Not much longer must I battle
With the billows thus forlorn,
Land is nigh, each faithful promise
Shews how nigh Salvation’s morn. (Rom. 13:12)
Not the deep shall be my dwelling:—
Joyful shall my spirit come,
When the seas have cleansed and proved me,
To my loved eternal Home. (II Cor. 5:1)