I have heard of a land, of a beautiful land,
That is over the dark rolling sea,
And I know there are joys that are waiting me there,-
But what will the first greeting be?

Refrain:
There’ll be music, there’ll be singing,
And throughout all heaven ringing
There’ll be shouts of hallelujah o’er and o’er;
But I know the first to meet me,
And with welcome smile to greet me,
Will be Jesus when I reach the golden shore.

Oh, I know that my Saviour has gone to prepare
In his kingdom a mansion for me,
And I know there’s a crown and a robe and a song,-
But what will the first greeting be? [Refrain]

Many loved ones have gone to that bright, happy land,
But their faces again I shall see,
And we’ll clasp their glad hands on that beautiful strand,-
But what will the first greeting be? [Refrain]

When I pass through the vale of the shadow of death
To that land where the weary are free,
I shall join in the song of the purified throng,-
But what will the first greeting be? [Refrain]