There's A Land That Is Fairer Than Day (Sweet By And By) - as sung by Jack Marti

Lyrics by S. Fillmore Bennett and music by Joseph P. Webster

Here's another one of my favorite hymns partly because it sounds as if it might have been written on the guitar. However, upon further research, I find the melody was actually composed on a violin! Here's what Mr. Bennett had to say about how the song came to be:

"Mr. Webster, like many musicians, was of an exceedingly nervous and sensitive nature, and subject to periods of depression, in which he looked upon the dark side of all things in life. I had learned his peculiarities so well that on meeting him I could tell at a glance if he was melancholy, and had found that I could rouse him up by giving him a new song to work on. He came into my place of business [in Elkhorn, Wisconsin], walked down to the stove, and turned his back on me without speaking. I was at my desk. Turning to him, I said, Webster, what is the matter now? Its no matter, he replied, it will be all right by and by. The idea of the hymn came me like a flash of sunlight, and I replied, The Sweet By and By! Why would not that make a good hymn? Maybe it would, he said indifferently. Turning to my desk I penned the words of the hymn as fast as I could write. I handed the words to Webster. As he read his eyes kindled, and stepping to the desk he began writing the notes. Taking his violin, he played the melody and then jotted down the notes of the chorus. It was not over thirty minutes from the time I took my pen to write the words before two friends with Webster and myself were singing the hymn."—Sanford Fillmore Bennett (1836-1898)

Theres a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.

In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

In the sweet....

To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow our days.

In the sweet...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• hymn
• gospel
• folk
• music
• bluegrass
• flatpicking
• guitar
• Taylor
• 810B

[raymondcrooke]

It may never be the same again since Joe Hill wrote "The Preacher and the Slave", but it's still a beautiful song, and you do it very well, Jack.

[guitmartiman]

There are always two sides to any coin. It's a matter of perspective and whether or not you're getting the whole story or see the bigger picture. The "pie in the sky" mentality is not an accurate depiction of the gospel. The true gospel gives bread (physical and spiritual) to those who hunger and a cup of cold water (physical and spiritual) to those who thirst. Still, Joe Hill's song is a valid perspective from one who has only had his experience. Thanks for your comment. It's much appreciated.

[barttheanorak]

Jack have you read the book Why I Left The Contemporary Christian Music Scene by Dan Lucarini?

I've found myself emailing him some questions and admitting I've trashed secular rock collections twice but had the second one returned to me and picked up where I left off.

Wonder if I'll get told "Repent O backslider"... I do these stupid things sometimes partly through having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

[guitmartiman]

Yes, I have read that book. It was quite a compelling testimony. I was so impressed by it, I wanted to order a case of them and start selling them on my web site. They even quoted me a discount price. That was back in 2001, but I never did follow through. It's interesting that now I'm on a fairly contemporary praise team at the church I attend (sans drums), but I'm not finding some of the things he said to be particularly true of my group. Still, he makes a lot of good points.

[barttheanorak]

And it's almost as if he thinks it was all organs and hymns until CCM had its advent. Hullo, has the guy never heard of Negro spirituals?

And what I love about choruses up to about 1993 is that OK they've got a contemporary feel but they're not (mostly) trying to be cool for Jesus or copycat the world in a gimmicky way. My old church music group had guitars, bass, piano, flute and violin but didn't have drums as a permanent fixture till 1996. Still the Hallelujah Chorus has drums as well so....

[guitmartiman]

I don't even have a problem with drums if they're tastefully done and not overpowering. It's just that in most cases, they're not really necessary. I think contemporary Christian music has a lot to offer when it's done tastefully and with deference to those who are not as comfortable with it.

[NathanNCFC]

Very well done :) this is a common hymn at our spiritualist church. Best version i have found online.

[TitusDawn]

dear uncle...the way ur playing guitar is so great....also ur voice is awesome... 

[pianogirl98]

Wonderful!! ****** stars for you!

[escort325]

Nicely done!

[scottklaw]

And still awesome.

[harleyhawgn]

One of the of all gospel songs, and you sure did a great job on it Jack! 5*****'s and ENJOYED VERY MUCH, C.W.