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Dark And Thorny Is The Desert
Traditional/Public Domain Old-Time Shape-note Hymn; Attributed to William Walker; 1844
ARTIST: Ralph Stanley 1971-1973 (Box set) 1991 Sacred Harp "545 The Pilgrim’s Way"
SHHET MUSIC: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/walker/harmony/files/hymn/Thorny_Desert.html
CATEGORY: Traditional and Public Domain Gospel;
DATE: 1844 Southern Harmony
RECORDING INFO: Dark And Thorny Is The Desert
Shiloh Primitive Baptist Association, Elkin, N.C.
Sacred Harp 1991 Edition. 545 The Pilgrim’s Way
Stanley, Ralph. 1971-1973 (Box set) County Sales
Walker, William. Southern Harmony- no. 83
OTHER NAMES: "Pilgrim’s Way" "Thorny Desert"
SOURCES: Sacred Harp;
NOTES: "Dark And Thorny Is The Desert" (listed as "545 The Pilgrim’s Way" with a tune by Irene Parker Denson, 1959 Sacred Harp) is a traditional shape-note hymn. A complete set of lyrics attributed to William Walker were found in the 1844 Southern Harmony under the title, "Thorny Desert" (See below).
The folk hymn is included in primitive Baptist songbooks including Shiloh Primitive Baptist Association, Elkin, N.C. where it is #695 Dark And Thorny Is The Desert.
The song is in the repertoire of Ralph Stanley and is found on his 1971-1973 (Box set) from County Sales.
An African-American version was sung Harriet Tubman during the undergound Railroad in the mid -1800s (Bradford "Scenes"):
Hail, oh hail ye happy spirits,
Death no more shall make you fear;
No grief, nor sorrow, pain nor ang (anguish),
Shall no more distress you there.
Dark and thorny is the desert,
Through de pilgrim makes his ways,
Yet beyon' dis vale of sorrow,
Lies the fiel's of endless days.
545 The Pilgrim’s Way; 1991 Sacred Harp; Tune: Irene Parker Denson, 1959; Meter: 8s,7s Double (8,7,8,7,8,7,8,7)
Dark and thorny is the desert,
Through which pilgrims make their way.
But beyond this vale of sorrow
Is a land of perfect day.
Tired and thirsty are the pilgrims
As they cross the burning sand,
But the Master walks beside them
Till they reach the heav’nly land.
Thorny Desert; Southern Harmony no. 83
First Line: Dark and thorny is the desert
Composer: Wm. Walker
Source: Dover Sel. p. 127
Meter: 8, 7
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/walker/harmony/files/hymn/Thorny_Desert.html
1. Dark and thorny is the desert,
Through which pilgrims make their way;
But beyond this vale of sorrows
Lie the fields of endless day.
Fiends, loud howling through the desert,
Make them tremble as they go;
And the fiery darts of Satan
Often bring their courage low.
2. O, young soldiers, are you weary
Of the troubles of the way?
Does your strength begin to fail you,
And your vigor to decay?
Jesus, Jesus, will go with you,
He will lead you to his throne;
He who dyed his garments for you,
And the wine press trod alone.
3. He whose thunder shakes creation,
He who bids the planets roll;
He who rides upon the tempest,
And whose sceptre sways the whole.
Round him are ten thousand angels,
Ready to obey command;
They are always hovering round you,
Till you reach the heavenly land.
4. There, on flowery hills of pleasure,
In the fields of endless rest,
Love, and joy, and peace shall ever
Reign and triumph in your breast.
Who can paint those scenes of glory,
Where the ransomed dwell on high?
Where the golden harps for ever
Sound redemption through the sky?
5. Millions there of flaming seraphs
Fly across the heavenly plain;
There they sing immortal praise--
Glory! glory! is their strain:
But methinks a sweeter concert
Makes the heavenly arches ring,
And a song is heard in Zion
Which the angels cannot sing.
6. See the heavenly host, in rapture,
Gaze upon this shining band;
Wondering at their costly garments,
And the laurels in their hand!
There, upon the golden pavement,
See the ransomed march along,
While the splendid courts of glory
Sweetly echo to their song.
7. O their crowns, how bright they sparkle!
Such as monarchs never wear;
They are gone to heavenly pastures--
Jesus is their Shepherd there.
Hail, ye happy, happy spirits!
Welcome to this blissful plain!--
Glory, honor, and salvation!
Reign, sweet Shepherd, ever reign.
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