A BETTER DAY (Tindley)

Composer: Charles Albert Tindley

Charles Albert Tindley was born in Berlin, Maryland, July 7, 1851; son of Charles and Hester Tindley. His father was a slave, and his mother was free. Hester died when he was very young; he was taken in my his mother’s sister Caroline Miller Robbins in order to keep his freedom. It seems that he was expected to work to help the family. In his Book of Sermons (1932), he speaks of being “hired out” as a young boy, “wherever father could place me.” He married Daisy Henry when he was seventeen. Together they had eight children, some of whom would later assist him with the publication of his hymns. Tindley was largely self-taught throughout his lifetime. He learned to read mostly on his own. After he and Daisy moved to Philadelphia… Go to person page >

Arranger: Charles A. Tindley, Jr.

Son of Charles Albert Tindley. Charles Albert Tindley, Jr., arranged some of his father's hymns. Go to person page >

Tune Information

Title: A BETTER DAY (Tindley)
Composer: Charles Albert Tindley
Arranger: Charles A. Tindley, Jr.
Incipit: 55612 33353 12333
Key: A♭ Major
Copyright: Public Domain

Texts

A Better Day is Coming

A better day is coming, the morning draweth nigh,
   When girded right with holy might shall overthrow the wrong.
   When Christ our Lord shall listen To every plaintive sigh,
   And stretch His hand o'er every land in justice by and by.
   
   Chorus:
   'Tis coming by and by, (Yes, by and by) 'Tis coming by and by, (and by)
   A better day is coming, the morning draweth night,
   'Tis coming by and by, 'Tis coming by and by, (and by)
   The welcome dawn is hastening on, Tis coming by and by. (and by)
   
The boast of haughty error no more shall fill the land,
   While men enraged, their power engaged, to kill their fellow man,
   But God the Lord shall triumph, and Satan's host shall fly,
   For wrong must cease and righteousness shall conquer by and by.
   [Chorus]
   
No more will angry nations in deadly conflict meet,
   While children cry and parents die in conquest or defeat,
   For Jesus Christ the Captain, Will give the battle cry,
   The Holy Ghost will lead the host to victory by and by.[Chorus]
   
No more shall lords and rulers their helpless victims press,
   And bar the door against the poor and leave them in distress,
   But God, the King of Glory, Who hears the ravens cry,
   Will give command that every man have plenty by and by.
   [Chorus]

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