There is a joy my heart knows well
Like a river knows the bending land
Water winds where the sunlight swells
And brightens the night of man
Even in this prison, with death at hand

Life on earth is hard but good
Jesus brings the suffering peace
Christ, my joy and hope till final breath
Christ, in life or death
But I long to go home, I want to go home

There is a hope that calms my fear
Like Job in his darkest days
As the Lord brings courage near
He drives out the dread of shame
Be it in freedom or the grave

Life on earth is hard but good
Jesus makes the labor sweet
Christ, my joy and hope in toil or rest
Christ, in life or death
But I long to go home, I want to go home

Let the world its judgement give
Let the wild and whims decide
I have known it Christ to live
And I will know it gain to die
Gain to die

There is a love that guides my way
If fate were mine to choose
It speaks that it’s best to stay
To cheer and to strengthen you
So for you, it might be the same
To live is Christ and to die is gain

But still, I hear it calling