Consolation

Charles Albert Tindley wrote the words and music of Consolation. It is also listed as “Arr. by Wm. D. Smith.” The song was copyrighted in 1909 in Soul Echoes No. 2, where it appeared as song No. 7.

For my fuller biography of Tindley, see Leave It There. Someone has written, “If Thomas A. Dorsey is the ‘Father of Gospel Music.’ then Charles Albert Tindley is the ‘Grandfather of Gospel Music.’”

1. Ye pilgrims through this vale of tears,
Come, let us cheer each other,
Amid the danger’s doubts and fear,
Let each console his brother.
Our way is often dark and hard,
Temptations all around us,
Unless we pray with one accord
They surely will confound us.

2. We see the pit where others lie,
All smitten by the Tempter,
We too shall come to grief and die,
If we to him surrender.
We’ll walk the blood-be-sprinkled way,
The road that leads to glory,
And as we go we’ll sing and pray,
And tell redemption’s story.

3. While some are shouting all the time,
Some other hearts are bleeding,
They want the heavenly peace to find
For which their souls are pleading.
Come, let us lead them through the gate,
The way of sins confessing,
The word of God will put them straight
And they will find the blessing.

4. There may be some that’s growing tired,
Because the way is tedious,
Let’s take the Book that was inspired
And tell them more ’bout Jesus.
Tell them of him who bled and died
The crucifixion story—
Who rendered justice satisfied
And then went home to glory.

5. We soon shall reach the shining shore,
And see our dear Redeemer,
Where we shall weep and sigh no more,
But praise his name forever.
Our time is short, and crosses great
And often hard to carry,
Unless we start we’ll be too late,
We’ve got no time to tarry.

6. We almost hear the happy shouts
Of saints beyond the river,
They’ve gone beyond this world of doubts,
They’re saved with God forever.
Our kindred they are in that happy throng,
O what a happy meeting,
We’ll watch and pray, it won’t be long
Before the Heavenly greeting.