I saw a way-worn traveler

I saw a way-worn traveler,In tattered garments clad,And struggling up the mountain;It seemed that he was sad;His back was laden heavy,His strength was almost gone,He shouted as he journeyed,Deliverance will come.

The summer sun was shining,The sweat was on his brow,His garments worn and dusty,His step seemed very slow:But he kept pressing onward,For he was wending home;Still shouting as he journeyed,Deliverance will come.

The songsters in the arborThat stood beside the wayAttracted his attention,Inviting his delay;His watchword being "Onward!"He stopped his ears, and ran,Still shouting as he journeyed,Deliverance will come.

I saw him in the evening,The sun was bending low;He 'd overtopped the mountain,And reached the vale below;His eyes were dim and heavy,His journey, it was done;He shouted, as it ended,Deliverance will come!

They closed the blinds around him,And locked him up alone,That nothing might disturb himTill his best Friend should come.Hope made for him a pillow,And faith, a garment rare,To keep him in his slumbersTill Jesus should appear.

At length the trumpet sounded,The shadows fled away,The gilded rays of gloryProclaimed the coming day;Then when the light of morningBroke in his little room,He rose, and cried, Hosanna!Deliverance has come!

I heard the song of triumphHe sang upon that shore,Saying, Jesus has redeemed me,I'll suffer now no more;And casting his eyes backwardOn the race that he had run,He raised the loud hosanna,Deliverance has come!