Apparently the first publication of the words was on August 7, 1868, in The New York Observer. Titled Always rejoicing, and attributed to "Pauline T.", with meter 87. 87. D. These words first put to music by Robert Lowry in 1869, which was reprinted in several Christian hymnbooks in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The words were considerably revised in the 1960s to remove or change the Christian references, usually in meter 87. 87. This secular version is the one most common in audio or video recordings.
1 My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails a new creation:
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul —
How can I keep from singing?
2 What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Saviour liveth;
What though the darkness gather round!
Songs in the night He giveth:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
3 I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smooths
Since first I learned to love it:
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing:
All things are mine since I am His –
How can I keep from singing?
English text
Folk-revival version, 1964
My life flows on in endless song
Above earth's lamentations
I hear the real, though far off hymn
That hails a new creation.
Above the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing
It sounds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble, sick with fear
And hear their death-knell ringing
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them go winging
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?
And while the tempest loudly roars
I hear the truth, it liveth
And through the darkness round me close
Songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I'm clinging
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?
How can I keep from singing?
English text