Lyrics
Verse 1
As I go winding my way to Gloryland
The home of the soul
My life is filled with sorrow where I roam
But when I enter the gates of Gloryland
Which now is my goal
My Lord will say "My child you're welcome home"
Chorus
Well done my child My Lord will say
With courage bold you stood for the right
A crown of life you've won
Well done my child He'll say that day
Like Paul of old you fought a good fight
Well done my child, well done
Verse 2
I now am waiting, longing for the day
When I shall arise and sail away
Across the oceans foam
I'll be so happy to hear my Savior say
In sweet paradise
"Well done my child, you're welcome home"
Chorus (Repeat x2)
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
"Well Done My Child" opens with a journey metaphor, winding a way toward a described home of the soul while present life remains filled with sorrow along the road. That contrast, sorrowful present journey against a promised destination, frames the entire song around anticipated arrival rather than present circumstance.
Its chorus imagines a specific welcome, courage rewarded with a crown of life and a direct comparison to Paul's own testimony of fighting a good fight. That named comparison ties personal hope to a recognized biblical example of faithful endurance rather than vague optimism about the future.
Rooted in Southern gospel's narrative hymn tradition, the song functions as an anticipatory meditation on hearing final approval from Christ, its second verse describing a longed-for departure across the sea as paradise, closing the song on the same imagined welcome repeated as its settled, central hope.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 25:21 Describes a master telling a faithful servant well done, directly echoed in the song's repeated chorus.
- 2 Timothy 4:7 Describes fighting the good fight, directly echoed in the song's comparison to Paul's testimony.