1
Farewell, our friends and brethren!
Here take the parting hand—
We go to preach the gospel
To ev’ry foreign land.
2
Farewell our wives and children,
Who render life so sweet—
Dry up your tears—be faithful
Till we again do meet.
3
Farewell ye scenes of childhood,
And fancies of our youth;
We go to combat error
With everlasting truth.
4
Farewell all carnal pleasure,
Which gilds the scenes of mirth,
Your days are surely number’d
To trouble man on earth.
5
Farewell, farewell our country—
Our home is now abroad
To labor in the vineyard,
In righteousness for God.
6
The gallant ships are ready
To waft us o’er the sea,
To gather up the blessed,
That Zion may be free.