HOME OF THE SOUL
Ma, with Carrie crowded in beside her, sat in her
rocking chair by the stove, opposite Mary. She
held Grace in her arms and rocked slowly, softly
singing to her... -- The Long Winter, Chapter
22, "Cold and Dark"
"Home of the Soul" was written by Ellen M. Huntington Gates in 1865, following a request by composer Phillip Phillips that she write a suitable hymn to correspond to a passage in John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress (from "The First Part," paragraphs 904-906):
Now I say in my Dream that these two men went in at the Gate; and lo, as they entered, they were transfigured, and they had Raiment put on that shone like Gold. There was also that met them with Harps and Crowns, and gave them to them, the Harps to praise withal, and the Crowns in token of honour. Then I heard in my Dream that all the Bells in the City rang again for joy, and that it was said unto them, Enter ye into the joy of your Lord. I also heard the men themselves, that they sang with a loud voice, saying, Blessing, Honour, Glory, and Power, be to him that sitteth upon the Throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever.
Now just as the Gates were opened to let in the men, I looked in after them, and behold, the City shone like the Sun: the Streets also were paved with Gold, and in them walked many men, with Crowns on their heads, Palms in their hands, and golden Harps to sing praises withal.
There were also of them that had wings, and they answered one another without intermission, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord. And after that they shut up the Gates. Which when I had seen, I wished myself among them.
When he received the lyrics, Phillips sat down at his organ and composed the tune. Phillip Phillips (1834-1895) was born in New York and died in Ohio. He began teaching singing school at age 19; he was known as "The Singing Pilgrim" because of his beautiful voice. He often hauled a piano behind a wagon and stopped on street corners to sing, drawing large crowds. He sold pianos, organs, and songbooks under the firm name of Phillip Phillips & Co. In 1875, he went on partial world tour, collecting hymns and other songs. Many of them appeared in songbooks published by him. "Home of the Soul" first appeared in his 1865 Singing Pilgrim.
Ellen Maria Huntington Gates (1835-1920) was born in Connecticut and died in Manhattan, New York. She married Edwin Isaac Gates and was widowed in 1916. Mrs. E.M.H. Gates (she was always professionally known by all three initials) was a wealthy and prominent figure in the literary and social world of New York City. Her poem "Eternity" was a special favorite of President Abraham Lincoln. Gates published two collections of verses, in 1897 and 1910.
"Home of the Soul" doesn't appear in the existing manuscript for The Long Winter. In the manuscript, Ma sits with Grace on her lap and sings "On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand."
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HOME OF THE SOUL
I will sing you a song of that beautiful land, The far away home of the soul, Where no storms ever beat on the glittering strand, While the years of eternity roll, While the years of eternity roll; Where no storms ever beat on the glittering strand, While the years of eternity roll.
Oh, that home of the soul! In my visions and dreams Its bright, jasper walls I can see; Till I fancy but thinly the veil intervenes Between the fair city and me, Between the fair city and me; Till I fancy but thinly the veil intervenes Between the fair city and me.
That unchangeable home is for you and for me, Where Jesus of Nazareth stands; The King of all kingdoms forever is He, And He holdeth our crowns in His hands, And He holdeth our crowns in His hands; The King of all kingdoms forever is He, And He holdeth our crowns in His hands.
Oh, how sweet it will be in that beautiful land, So free from all sorrow and pain, With songs on our lips and our harps in our hands, To meet one another again, To meet one another again; With songs on our lips and our harps in our hands, To meet one another again. |
HOME OF THE SOUL (from The Long Winter)
I will sing you a song of that beautiful land, The far away home of the soul Where no storms ever beat on that glittering strand While the years of eternity roll.
Use the navigation bar above to listen to "Home of the Soul." If you do not see the midi player above, click HERE to listen.
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