Dark and thorny is the desert : manuscript copy

Dark and thorny is the desert : manuscript copy

1 item : 25.5 x 19.5 cm

Anonymous hymn which was published in: Lexington Collection 2nd. ed., 1805. This handwritten copy was created for Mrs. Caroline Anderson and addressed to her at Anderson Bell & Co., Louisville, Kentucky.

1st
Dark and thorny is the desert -
Thro' which prilgrims make their way;
Yet beyond this barb of sorrow,
Lie the fields of endless day.
Fiends loud howling thro' the desert,
Make them tremble as they go;
And the fiery darts of Satan,
Often bring their courage low.
2nd
Oh! young soldiers are you weary
Of the roughness of the way;
Does your strength begin to fail you,
And your vigor to decay.
Jesus, Jesus, will go with you,
He will bring you to his throne,
He who dyed his garments for you,
And the wine-press trods alone.
3rd
He whose thunder shakes creation -
He who bids the planets roll;
He who rides upon the tempest,
[tear] & whose sceptre sways the whole.
[tear] him are ten thousand Angels,
[tear] to obey Commands,
[tear] are always hov'ring round you,
[tear] you reach the heavenly lands.

4th
There on flowing hills of pleasure -
Lie the fields of endless rest,
Love, and joy, and peace forever,
Reign, and triumph in your breast.
Oh! Who can pain the scenes of glory -
Where the ransom'd dwell on high -
There on golden harps forever -
Sounds redemption thro' the sky.
5th
There are milion flaming seraphs
Flying o'er the heavenly plain,
There they sing immortal praises -
Glory, Glory, is there strain.
But methinks a sweeter concert -
Makes the heavenly Arches ring -
And a song is heard in Zion,
Which the Angels cannot sing.
6th
Oh! Their crowns how bright they sparkle
Such as monarchs never wear,
They are gone to richer pastures -
Jesus, is their Shepherd there.
Hail! ye happy! happy! Spirits,
Death shall no more make you fear -
Grief, nor sorrow, pain, nor anguish,
Can again distress you there.

For Mrs. Caroline Anderson
To the home of Anderson Bell & Co
Louisville KY

Ink on paper