Only waiting till the shadows Are a little longer grown ; Only waiting till the glimmer Of the day's last beam is flown : Till the night of earth has faded From the heart once full of day ; Till the stars of heaven are breaking Through the twilight soft and grey.
2. Only waiting till the reapers Have the last sheaf gathered home ; For the summer time has faded, And the autumn winds have come. Quickly, reapers ! gather quickly All the ripe hours of my heart ; For the bloom of life is withered, And I hasten to depart.
3. Only waiting till the angels Open wide the pearly gate, At whose portals long I've lingered, Weary, poor, and desolate : Even now I hear their footsteps, And their voices far away ; If they call me, I am waiting, Only waiting to obey.
4. Waiting for a brighter dwelling Than I ever yet have seen, Where the tree of life is blooming, And the fields are ever green : Waiting for my full redemption, When my Saviour shall restore All that sin has caused to wither : Pain and sorrow come no more.