DOCTRINES >> ETERNAL LIFE
SDAH 436
The homeland! O the homeland!
The land of the free born!
There’s no night in the homeland,
But aye the fadeless morn;
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For Worship Leaders
Make each hymn more meaningful with these helpful tools: Short, ready-to-use hymn introductions for church bulletins, multiple ways to introduce a hymn based on your worship theme and in-depth history and insights to enrich your song service.
Hymn Spotlight: The Homeland
Though its authorship is uncertain, The Homeland paints a tender picture of the Christian’s true home—a place of rest, joy, and reunion in God’s presence. Set to George C. Stebbins’ gentle 1903 melody, it invites weary pilgrims to lift their eyes from life’s trials toward the eternal dwelling Christ has prepared, where faith will give way to sight and all will be at peace.
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
The authorship of this hymn remains in doubt. Some have attributed it to Hugh Reginald Haweis (1838-1901), minister for the last 35 years of his life at St. James, Marylebone, London. He was also a book author and a skilled violinist. Others give the credit for its composition to William Lindsay Alexander (1808-1884), who was principal of the Congregational Theological Hall in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The tune, unnamed, was composed in 1903 by George Coles Stebbins (1846-1945).
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
The homeland! O the homeland!
The land of the free born!
There’s no night in the homeland,
But aye the fadeless morn;
I’m sighing for homeland,
My heart is aching here;
There is no pain in the homeland
To which I’m drawing near;
There is no pain in the homeland
To which I’m drawing near.
2
My Lord is in the homeland,
With angels bright and fair;
There’s no sin in the homeland,
And no temptation there;
The music of the homeland
Is ringing in my ears;
And when I think of the homeland
My eyes are filled with tears;
And when I think of the homeland
My ears are filled with tears.
3
The dwellers in the homeland
Are beckoning me to come,
Where neither death nor sorrow
Invades their holy name;
O dear, dear native country!
O rest and peace above!
Christ bring us all to the homeland
Of Thy redeeming love;
Christ bring us all to the homeland
Of Thy redeeming love
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Rev 21:25, 4
Author
Hugh R. Haweis (1838-1901)
Year Published
1855
Metrical Number
7.6.7.6.D.
Composer
George C. Stebbins (1846-1945)
Year Composed
1903
