1 Upward toils the eager pilgrim,
Pressing onward to his home,
Now in sunshine, now in shadow—
But the perfect day will come.

Refrain:
Yes, the pathway groweth brighter,
Groweth brighter all the way,
As it nears the heav’nly city,
And the realms of endless day.

2 Oft the way is rough and thorny,
And the pilgrim’s feet are bare,
But his Lord hath once passed o’er it,
Leaving shining footprints there. [Refrain]

3 Oft he journeys thro’ the valley,
And the night seems dark and long,
But the joy that comes with morning,
Turns his sorrows into song. [Refrain]

4 Sometimes too, from mount or hilltop,
His enraptured eyes behold,
Gleaming in the sunset glory,
Gates of pearl and streets of gold! [Refrain]

5 Soon he’ll cross the mystic river,
And on yonder peaceful shore,
All his weary wand’rings ended,
Dwell with Jesus evermore. [Refrain]