My grandmother told a story of getting lost in the desert in 1940 as her cousin Florence drove my mother (then two years old) and her cross-country from Iowa to California. Miles from anywhere, hot, and nervous, they soaked my mother’s clean diapers with water to cool their faces and, for hours, sang this song to cheer (or perhaps prepare!) their spirits – my mother in the back seat gaily (and obliviously) singing, “By and by, by and by…,” over, and over, and over. And over. Scoot over, ma.
lyrics
There’s a land that is fairer than day, 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.
We shall sing 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.
To our bountiful Father above we will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love, and the blessings that hallow our days.
credits
from View from Violet Hill,
released January 1, 2010
words Sanford F. Bennett – music Joseph P. Webster. Public Domain. All rights reserved. – piano/percussion Michael Pearce Donley – upright bass Ian Allison – fiddle Carolyn Boulay – guitar/dobro/mandolin/tambourine Matt Patrick – background vocals Joe Mailander, Justin Lansing, Matt Patrick, Norah Long, Deb Carlson, Vanessa Gamble, Jennifer Grimm
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