Firstpublished:1805 in Ingalls' The Christian Harmony, p. 63 Description: A folk hymn, in the Dorian mode, although appearing to end in A minor (Jackson 1952, no. 195). Words by Samson Occom, 1779, entitled The Slow Traveler, five stanzas and a chorus (C. M.; see Brooks 2006). Ingalls treated the chorus as a sixth stanza.
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Original text and translations
English text
Collected Works of Samson Occom, 2006
1. O happy souls, how fast you go,
And leave me here behind;
Don't stop for me, for now, I see
The Lord is just and kind.
2. Go on, go on, my soul says go,
And I'll come after you,
Though I'm behind, yet I can find,
I'll sing Hosanna too.
3. Lord, give you strength that you may run,
And keep your footsteps right.
Though fast you go, and I so slow,
You are not out of sight.
4. When you get to the worlds above,
And all his glory see,
When you get home, your journey's done,
Then look you out for me.
5. For I will come fast as I can
Along that way I steer;
Lord, give me strength, I shall at length
Be one amongst you there.
CHORUS There all together we shall be, Together we will sing, Together we will praise our God And everlasting King.
Jeremiah Ingalls, Christian Harmony, 1805
1. O happy souls, how fast you go,
And leave me here behind;
Don't stop for me, for now, I see
The Lord is just and kind.
2. Go on, go on, my soul says go,
And I'll come after you,
Though I'm behind, yet I can find,
I'll sing Hosanna too.
3. Lord, give you strength that you may run,
And keep your footsteps right.
Though fast you go, and I so slow,
You are not out of sight.
4. When you get to those worlds above,
And all their glory see,
When you get home, your work is done,
Then look you out for me.
5. For I will come fast as I can
Along the way I'll steer;
Lord, give me strength, I shall at length
Be one among you there.
6. There all together we shall be,
Together we will sing,
Together we will praise our God
And everlasting King.
English text