The Dear Ones Gone Before

Verse 1

They’re waiting in the land of light, Upon the golden shore, And we shall meet beyond the night The dear ones gone before. Tho’ slowly pass life’s dreary hours, And sable seems the gloom, We’ll greet them there ’mid Eden’s bowers, Where fadeless flowers bloom.

Chorus

The dear ones gone before, Wide swing the pearly gates To welcome home the friends we love, Who watch for us and wait.

Verse 2

Tho’ often rugged seems the way, And lone the paths we tread, We know to realms of endless day By Christ we’re safely led. And whom he loves he chastens here, But there heav’n’s open door Stands still ajar, where we shall greet The dear ones gone before.

Verse 3

‘Tis but a little farther on, And storms will all be o’er, Then we shall view the perfect dawn, Where friends may part no more. And when all tears are wiped away, Forever from the eyes Of those that weep, we’ll bide for aye, In fields of paradise.