O Land of Rest

By Elizabeth Mills

Lyrics

1. O land of rest, for thee I sigh!
When will the moment come
When I shall lay my armor by
And dwell in peace at home?

Chorus:
We'll work till Jesus comes,
We'll work till Jesus comes,
We'll work till Jesus comes,
And we'll be gathered home.

2. No tranquil joys on earth I know,
No peaceful, shelt’ring dome;
This world’s a wilderness of woe,
This world is not my home.

3. To Jesus Christ I fled for rest;
He bade me cease to roam,
And lean for comfort on His breast
Till He conduct me home.

4. I sought at once my Savior’s side;
No more my steps shall roam;
With Him I’ll brave death’s chilling tide
And reach my heav’nly home.

Bible Reference

Hebrews 4:9

About This Hymn

“We’ll Work Till Jesus Comes” is a hymn born out of a deep anticipation of eternal rest in Christ. Written by Elizabeth Mills in 1837, this hymn reflects the Christian’s labor and longing in the present world while keeping eyes fixed on the promised heavenly rest. Drawing from the scriptural foundation found in Hebrews 4:9, the hymn acknowledges that while believers remain on earth, there is work to be done in the Lord’s service until He returns or calls them home.

The lyrics speak of a pilgrim weary from life’s journey, one who has sought lasting rest but found none in the fleeting comforts of the world. This weariness does not lead to despair, however, but to a renewed commitment to labor faithfully for Christ. The refrain serves as a rallying cry: “We’ll work till Jesus comes,” emphasizing endurance and unwavering devotion to the Lord in the face of trials, fatigue, and the unknown length of our earthly walk.

Elizabeth Mills, who passed away only a few years after writing this hymn, left behind a legacy of faithful expectation. Her words continue to encourage Christians to persevere, not in vain effort, but in joyful service that looks forward to the ultimate rest provided by Christ. This hymn has been a beloved choice in evangelistic services, mission gatherings, and worship meetings where believers are reminded that the work of the Kingdom continues until the Savior’s return.