Whither goest thou, pilgrim stranger

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General information

This is a revivalist hymn by an unknown author, before 1822. Meter is 87. 87. D.

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Text and translations

English.png English text

Social and Camp-Meeting Songs, Baltimore, 1822

The Female Pilgrim

1. Whither goest thou, pilgrim stranger,
Passing through this darksome vale?
Knowest thou not, tis full of danger.
And will not thy courage fail?
I'm bound for the kingdom.
Will you go to glory with me.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.

2. Pilgrim, thou dost justly call me,
Wandering o'er this waste so wide;
Yet no harm will e'er befall me.
While I'm blest with such a Guide.
I'm bound, etc.

3. Such a Guide! No guide attends thee.
Hence for thee my fears arise;
If a guardian power befriend thee,
'Tis unseen by mortal eyes.
I'm bound, etc.

4. Yes, unseen – but still, believe me.
Such a Guide my steps attends;
He'll in every strait relieve me.
He from every harm defends.
I'm bound, etc.

5. Pilgrim! see that stream before thee.
Darkly winding through the vale;
Should its deadly waves roll o'er thee,
Would not then thy courage fail?
I'm bound, etc.

6 No: that stream has nothing frightful;
To its brink my steps I bend,
There to plunge will be delightful
There my pilgrimage will end.
I'm bound, etc.

7. While I gazed – with speed surprising
Down the stream she plunged from sight;
Gazing still, I saw her rising,
Like an angel, clothed with light.
I'm bound, etc.

 

Broaddus, Dover Selection, 1828

Inquirer and Female Pilgrim

1. Whither goest thou, pilgrim stranger
Passing through this darksome vale?
Knowest thou not, tis full of danger,
And will not thy courage fail?

2. Pilgrim, thou dost justly call me,
Wandering o'er this waste so wide;
Yet no harm will e'er befall me,
While I'm blest with such a Guide.

3. Such a Guide! – No guide attends thee,
Hence for thee my fears arise;
If some guardian power befriend thee,
'T is unseen by mortal eyes.

4. Yes, unseen – but still believe me,
Such a Guide my steps attends;
He ‘ll in every strait relieve me,
He from every harm defends.

5. Pilgrim, see that stream before thee,
Darkly winding through the vale !
Should its deadly waves roll o'er thee,
Then would not thy courage fail?

6. No! That stream has nothing frightful,
To its brink my steps I bend,
There to plunge; it will be delightful;
There my pilgrimage will end.

7. While I gazed—with speed surprising
Down the stream she plunged from sight!
Gazing still, I saw her rising,
Like an angel, clothed with light.

8. Cease, my heart, this mournful sighing;
Death will break the sullen gloom;
Soon my spirit, fluttering, flying,
Will be borne beyond the tomb.

 

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