When shall I taste of that pure river,
Flowing near the throne?
When shall I drink and live forever,
Far from sorrow flown?
When shall I bathe my fever’d spirit
In the limpid stream?
When shall I Heaven’s joys inherit—
Ended life’s short dream?
When shall the tree of life wave o’er me,
Bearing precious fruit,
When shall the healing sap restore me,
Springing from its root?
When shall I taste the fruit, and never,
Never hunger more?
When shall I droop no more forever,
Pain and anguish o’er?
Not till I reach my home in Heaven,
All life’s journey trod;
Not till my sins are all forgiven
By the grace of God!