The United Methodist Hymnal

525

We'll Understand It Better By and By

1.	We are tossed and driven 
	on the restless sea of time;
	somber skies and howling tempests 
	oft succeed a bright sunshine;
	in that land of perfect day, 
	when the mists have rolled away,
	we will understand it better by and by.

Refrain:
	By and by, when the morning comes,
	when 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 food and want of shelter, 
	thirsty hills and barren lands;
	we are trusting in the Lord, 
	and according to God's word,
	we will understand it better by and by. [Refrain]

3.	Trials dark on every hand, 
	and we cannot understand
	all the ways that God would lead us 
	to that blessed promised 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]

WORDS: Charles Albert Tindley, ca. 1906
MUSIC: Charles Albert Tindley, ca. 1906; F. A. Clark, 1906
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:12
Theme: Affliction and Tribulation; Eternal Life; Sanctifiying and Perfecting Grace: Strength in Triublation; Trust