From the recording My Savior, My Lord, My King
Without Christ, our Father's plan would be for naught. Without our Father's plan, though, there would be purpose in Christ's atonement. That is why I can't speak of one without speaking of the other, and why I have included this hymn on this CD about Christ. In this hymn I strive to portray quiet contemplation of His plan, and our emotions at that contemplation. You can hear in the final verse a longing for home, and ever-increasing glorious thoughts at rising to the presence of the Lord, when we have finished His work. This has been sung at many funerals--I consider it one of the ultimate funeral songs, when coupled with a testimony of Jesus Christ.
Lyrics
O my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain Thy presence,
And again behold Thy face?
In thy holy habitation,
Did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood,
Was I nurtured near thy side?
For a wise and glorious purpose,
Thou hast placed me here on earth,
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth.
But ofttimes a secret something
Whispers, "You're a stranger here."
And I felt that I had wandered
From a more exalted sphere.
I had learned to call Thee, Father,
Through Thy Spirit from on high,
But until the key of knowledge
Was restored I knew not why.
In the heav'ns, are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare.
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me I've a mother there.
When I leave this frail existence,
When I leave this mortal be,
Father, Mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high.
Then at length when I've completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you.
Let me come and dwell with you.