1 What will it matter, by and by,
By and by?
Whether my path below was bright,
Whether it wound thro’ dark or light,
Under a gray or golden sky,
When I look back on it, by and by.

Chorus:
By and by, by and by,
Watching and waiting till by and by;
Summer will come again,
Roses will bloom agian,
Joy shall be mine again, by and by.
Yes, we shall live again,
Friends shall all meet again,
We shall be happy then, by and by.

2 What will it matter, by and by,
By and by?
Whether unhelped I toiled alone,
Dashing my foot against a stone;
Missing the charge of the angel nigh,
Bidding me think of the by and by. [Chorus]

3 What will it matter, by and by,
By and by?
Whether with cheek to cheek I've lain,
Close by the pallid angel pain,
Soothing myself thro' sob and sigh,
All will be elsewise by and by. [Chorus]

4 What will it matter, by and by,
By and by?
If I'm but sure the way I've trod,
Gloomy or gladdened, leads to God;
Questioning not of the how or why,
If I but reach Him by and by. [Chorus]