Stanza 1
I long for home: The Father’s house is urging
Me to the faithful Father’s breast,
Forth from the world’s confusion and its surging
To blessed, sweeter heav’nly rest.
A thousand wishes once in me were burning,
But, from life’s journey humbly now returning.
Yet bangs my heart upon the one hope, home.
I long for home, I long for home.
I long for home, I long for home,
I long for home; the Father’s voice is calling,
I long for home; the Father’s voice is calling,
I long for home, I long for home.
Stanza 2
I long for home: I saw in blissful dreaming
A nobler, better fatherland.
There is my home in realms of glory beaming,
Here has the soul no lasting stand.
With autumn past, the swallows wings are spreading,
They homeward fly; o’er hill and dale they’re speeding,
No hunter’s snare can keep them from their home.
I long for home, I long for home.
Stanza 3
I long for home: The ship its harbour’s seeking,
The rippling Brooklet finds the sea.
The infant in its mother’s arms is sleeping,
My weary soul, too, would be free,
How many songs I sang in joy and sorrow,
But like a tale they vanished ere the morrow;
One last sweet rhyme still in my heart doth roam.
I long for home, I long for home.
English Hymnal – Global Evangelical Church (GEC) Hymn 186