When Sorrows Encompass Me - Crooked Still

When sorrows encompass me round

And many distresses I see

Astonished I cry, Can a mortal be found

Surrounded with troubles like me?

Few seasons of peace I enjoy

And they are succeeded by pain

If e’er a few moments of praise I employ

I have hours and days to complain

O!

when will my sorrows subside?

O!

when will my sufferings cease?

O!

when to the bosom of Christ be conveyed?

To the mansions of glory and bliss?

May I be prepared for that day

When Jesus shall bid me remove

That I may in raptures go shouting away

To the arms of my heav’nly Love

My spirit to glory conveyed

My body laid low in the ground

I wish not a tear at my grave to be shed

But all join in praising around

No sorrow be vented that day

When Jesus hath called me home

With singing and shouting let each brother say

«He's gone from the evil to come.»

If souls disembodied can know

Or visit their brethern beneath

My spirit shall join you, while singing you go

And leave all my cares in the grave

Immersed in the ocean of love

My soul, like an angel shall sing

Till Christ shall descend with a shout from above

And make all creation to ring

Our bodies, in dust shall obey

And swifter than thought shall arise

Then, changed in a moment, go shouting away

To mansions of love in the skies