HOME, SWEET HOME

Words: John Howard Payne (1791-1852), 1823
Tune: Henry Rowley Bishop (1785-1855), Sacred Harp, p. 161.

 Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
 Be it ever so humble there's no place like home!
 A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there,
 Which, seek through the world, is ne'er met with elsewhere:
   Home! Home! sweet, sweet Home
   There's no place like Home! 
   There's no place like Home! 

 I gaze on the moon as I tread the drear wild
 And feel that my mother now thinks of her child
 As she looks on the moon from our own cottage door
 Through the woodbine whose fragrance shall cheer me no more.
   Home! Home! sweet, sweet Home...

 An exile from home splendor dazzles in vain
 Oh, give me my low, thatched cottage again,
 The birds singing gaily that come at my call,
 Give me them with that peace of mind, dearer than all.
   Home! Home! sweet, sweet Home...

 How sweet 'tis to sit neath a fond father's smile,
 And the cares of a mother to soothe and beguile.
 Let others delight 'mid new pleasures to roam,
 But give me, oh give me the pleasures of home.
   Home! Home! sweet, sweet Home...
 
 To thee I'll return overburdened with care,
 The hearts dearest solace will smile on me there
 No more from that cottage again will I roam,
 Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.
   Home! Home! sweet, sweet Home...


    SWEET HOME

Words: David Denham, 1837
Tune: Henry Rowley Bishop (1785-1855), Sacred Harp, p. 161.

   'Mid scenes of confusion and creature complaints,
   How sweet to the soul is communion with saints!
   To find at the banquet of mercy there's room,
   And feel in the presence of Jesus at home.
     Home! home! sweet, sweet home!
   Prepare me, dear Savior, for glory, my home.

   Sweet bonds that unite all the children of peace!
   And, thrice precious, Jesus, whose love cannot cease,
   Though oft from thy presence in sadness I roam,
   I long to behold thee in glory, at home.
     Home! home! sweet, sweet home...

   I sigh from this body of sin to be free,
   Which hinders my joy and communion with thee;
   Though now my temptations like billows may foam,
   All, all will be peace, when I'm with thee at home.
     Home! home! sweet, sweet home...

   While here in the valley of conflict I stay,
   O give me submission and strength as my day!
   In all my afflictions to thee would I come,
   Rejoicing in hope of my glorious home.
     Home! home! sweet, sweet home...

   Whate'er thou deniest, O give my thy grace!
   The Spirit's sure witness, and smiles of thy face;
   Endue me with patience to wait at thy throne,
   And find, even now, a sweet foretaste of home.
     Home! home! sweet, sweet home...

   I long, dearest Lord, in thy beauties to shine,
   No more as an exile in sorrow to pine,
   And in thy fair image, arise from the tomb,
   With glorified millions to praise thee at home.
     Home! home! sweet, sweet home!
   Receive me, dear Savior, in glory, my home.