In the Sweet By and By
Lyrics
And by faith we can see it afar,
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
The melodious songs of the blest;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more-
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow our days.
Bible Reference
1 Corinthians 2:9
About This Hymn
Lyrics: Sanford Fillmore Bennett (1836–1898)
Music: Joseph P. Webster (1819–1875)
Year: 1868
Hymn Story:
In the Sweet By and By was written during a conversation between two friends—Sanford Bennett and Joseph Webster. Webster, who often battled depression, entered Bennett’s office looking discouraged. When Bennett asked what was wrong, Webster replied, “It will be all right by and by.” Inspired, Bennett began writing the lyrics, and within 30 minutes, the two had composed the hymn.
The song reflects a deep hope in the Christian promise of heaven—a “beautiful shore” where believers will be reunited with loved ones and meet the Savior. It quickly gained popularity and has remained a cherished gospel hymn, often sung at funerals, memorial services, and gatherings of faith.
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