1 We are tossed about and driv’n on the restless sea of time;
Sombre skies and howling winds oft succeed a bright sunshine;
In that land of perfect day, when the mists have roll’d away,
We will understand it better by and by.

Refrain:
By and by, when the morning comes,
All the saints of God are gathered home,
We’ll tell the story how we’ve overcome,
For we’ll understand it better by and by.

2 We are often destitute of the things that life demands,
Want of shelter and of food—thirsty hills and barren lands,
We are trusting in the Lord, and according to His Word,
We will understand it better by and by. [Refrain]

3 Trials dark on ev’ry hand, and we cannot understand
All the ways that God would lead to that blessed promis’d land;
But He guides us with His eye, and we’ll follow ‘till we die,
For we’ll understand it better by and by. [Refrain]

4 Temptations, hidden snares often take us unawares,
And our hearts are made to bleed for a thoughtless word or deed;
And we wonder why the test, when we try to do our best;
But we’ll understand it better by and by. [Refrain]