“I'M A PILGRIM, AND I'M A STRANGER.”
This hymn still lives—and is likely to live, at least in collections that print revival music. Mrs. Mary Stanley (Bunce) Dana, born in Beaufort, S.C., Feb. 15, 1810, wrote it while living in a northern state, where her husband died. By the name Dana she is known in hymnology, though she afterwards became Mrs. Shindler. The tune identified with the hymn, “I'm a Pilgrim,” is untraced, save that it is said to be an “Italian Air,” and that its original title was “Buono Notte” (good night).
No other hymn better expresses the outreaching of ardent faith. Its very repetitions emphasize and sweeten the vision of longed-for fruition.
I can tarry, I can tarry but a night,
Do not detain me, for I am going.
* * * * * *
There the sunbeams are ever shining,
O my longing heart, my longing heart is there.
* * * * * *
Of that country to which I'm going,
My Redeemer, my Redeemer is the light.
There is no sorrow, nor any sighing,
Nor any sin there, nor any dying,
I'm a pilgrim, etc.
The same devout poetess also wrote (1840) the once popular consolatory hymn,—
O sing to me of heaven
When I'm about to die,
—sung to the familiar tune by Rev. E.W. Dunbar; also to a melody composed 1854 by Dr. William Miller.
The line was first written—
When I am called to die,
—in the author's copy. The hymn (occasioned by the death of a pious friend) was written Jan. 15, 1840.
Mrs. Dana (Shindler) died in Texas, Feb. 8, 1883.