In the Presence of the King

Verse 1

Oh, to be over yonder! In that land of wonder, Where the angel voices mingle, And the angel harpers ring; To be free from pain and sorrow, And the anxious, dread tomorrow, To rest in light and sunshine In the presence of the King.

Chorus

Oh, to be over yonder, In that land of wonder, There to be forever In the presence of the King.

Verse 2

Oh, to be over yonder! My yearning heart grows fonder Of looking to the east, to see The blessed daystar bring Some tidings of the waking, The cloudless, pure day breaking; My heart is yearning--yearning For the coming of the King.

Verse 3

Oh, to be over yonder! Alas! I sigh and wonder Why clings my poor, weak, sinful heart To any earthly thing; Each tie of earth must sever, And pass away forever; But there's no more separation In the presence of the King.

Verse 4

Oh, when shall I be dwelling Where angel voices, swelling In triumphant hallelujahs, Make the vaulted heavens ring? Where the pearly gates are gleaming, And the morning-star is beaming? Oh, when shall I be yonder, In the presence of the King?

Verse 5

Oh, I shall soon be yonder, Tho' lonely here I wander, Yearning for the welcome summer-- Longing for the bird's fleet wing; The midnight may be dreary, And the heart be worn and weary, But there's no more shadow yonder In the presence of the King.