Hymn 96

I saw a way worn traveller

Ira D. Sankey

Verse 1

I saw a way worn traveller,

In tattered garments clad,

And struggling up the mountain,

It seemed that he was sad;

His back was laden heavy,

His strength was almost gone,

Yet he shouted as he journeyed,

“Deliverance will come!”

Chorus

“Then palms of victory; Crowns of glory,

Palms of victory; I shall bear.”

Verse 2

The summer sun was shining,

The sweat was on his brow,

His garments worn and dusty,

His step seemed very slow;

But he kept pressing onward,

For he was wending home,

Still shouting as he journeyed,

“Deliverance will come!”

Chorus

“Then palms of victory; Crowns of glory,

Palms of victory; I shall bear.”

Verse 3

The songsters in the arbour

That stood beside the way

Attracted his attention,

Inviting his delay:

His watchword being “Onward!”

He stopped his ears and ran,

Still shouting as he journeyed,

“Deliverance will come!”

Chorus

“Then palms of victory; Crowns of glory,

Palms of victory; I shall bear.”

Verse 4

I saw him in the evening;

The sun was bending low;

He’d overtopped the mountain,

And reached the vale below:

He saw the golden city

His everlasting home,

And shouted loud, “Hosanna!

While gazing on the city,

Just o’er the narrow flood,

A band of holy angels

Came from the throne of God;

They bore him on their pinions

Safe o’er the dashing foam,

And joined him in his triumph:

Deliverance had come!

Chorus

“Then palms of victory; Crowns of glory,

Palms of victory; I shall bear.”

Verse 5

I heard the song of triumph

They sang upon that shore,

Saying, “Jesus has redeemed us

To suffer nevermore!”

Then, casting his eyes backward

On the race which he had run,

He shouted loud, “Hosanna!

Deliverance has come!”

Chorus

“Then palms of victory; Crowns of glory,

Palms of victory; I shall bear.”