588. Singing songs of expectation

Authors: Baring-Gould, Sabine, Ingemann, Bernhardt Severin

Singing songs of expectation,
onward goes the pilgrim band,
through the night of doubt and sorrow
marching to the promised land.

2. Clear before us through the darkness
gleams and burns the guiding light,
as we strengthen one another,
stepping fearless through the night.

3. One the light of God’s own presence
on his ransomed people shed,
chasing far the gloom and terror,
brightening all the path we tread.

4. One the object of our journey,
one the faith which never tires,
one the eager looking forward,
one the hope our God inspires.

5. One the song that lips of thousands
lift as from the heart of one;
one the conflict, one the peril,
one the march in God begun.

6. One the gladness of rejoicing
on the far eternal shore,
where the one almighty Father
reigns in love for evermore.

7. Soon shall come the great awaking,
soon the bursting from the tomb;
then the scattering of all shadows,
and the end of tears and gloom.

8. Courage, therefore, Christian pilgrims,
with the cross before your eyes,
bear its shame, and fight its battle-
die with Christ, with Christ arise!