Bound for the Promised Land

Bound for the Promised Land is a song written by Samuel Stennett in 1787. The tune for the song was written by a "Miss M. Durham" of which nothing else is known. The song became a well known Christian hymn, and most recently it has been arranged by Mack Wilberg. Below is a video of the hymn as arranged by Mack Wilberg, performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, directed by Mack Wilberg.

When I looked up the lyrics I found that many of sites that had the lyrics did not have all of the verses. Some had three, others four, but they all seemed to have different verses, and none of them had all of the verses in the Mack Wilberg arrangement. So put together the lyrics as found in the Mack Wilberg version. He has four verses, and includes the chorus six times (first two verses, chorus twice, next two verses, and repeat chorus four times).

On Jordan's stormy banks I stand

And cast a wishful eye

To Canaan's fair and happy land,

Where my possesions lie.

There generous fruits that never fail

On trees immortal grow;

There rocks and hills and brooks and vales

With milk and honey flow.

Chorus

I am bound for the promised land,

I am bound for the promised land

O who will come and go with me

I am bound for the promised land.

Repeat Chorus

O the transporting rapt'rous scene

That rises to my sight;

Sweet fields arrayed in living green

And rivers of Delight.

When shall I reach that happy place,

I’ll be forever blest,

When shall I see my Father’s face,

And in His bosom rest.

Chorus

I am bound for the promised land,

I am bound for the promised land

O who will come and go with me

I am bound for the promised land.

Repeat Chorus

Repeat Chorus

Repeat Chorus

In addition to the four verses in the Mack Wilberg arrangement I was able to find four additional verses to the song. I will include them below.

Soon will the Lord my soul prepare

For joys beyond the skies,

Where never-ceasing pleasures roll,

And praises never die.

O’er all those wide extended plains

Shines one eternal day;

There God the Son forever reigns,

And scatters night away.

No chilling winds or poisonous breath

Can reach that healthful shore;

Sickness and sorrow, pain and death,

Are felt and feared no more.

Filled with delight my raptured soul

Would here no longer stay;

Though Jordan’s waves around me roll,

Fearless I’d launch away.