Gloria Bailey - When The Toils Of Life Are Over/ In The New Jerusalem Lyrics
Released: 17 Mar 2009
Lyrics
When the toils of life are over,
And we lay our armor down,
And we bid farewell to earth with all its cares,
We shall meet and greet our loved ones,
And our Christ we then shall crown,
In the new Jerusalem.
Refrain:
There'll be singing, there'll be shouting
When the saints come marching home,
In Jerusalem, in Jerusalem,
Waving palms with loud hosannas
As the King shall take His throne,
In the new Jerusalem.
Though the way is sometimes lonely,
He will hold me with His hand,
Through the testings and the trials I must go.
But I'll trust and gladly follow,
For sometime I'll understand,
In the new Jerusalem.
When the last goodbye is spoken
And the tear stains wiped away,
And our eyes shall catch a glimpse of glory fair,
Then with bounding hearts we'll meet Him
Who hath washed our sins away,
In the new Jerusalem.
When we join the ransomed army
In the summer land above,
And the face of our dear Savior we behold,
We will sing and shout forever,
And we'll grow in perfect love,
In the new Jerusalem.
Video
In the New Jerusalem
Meaning & Inspiration
Gloria Bailey’s "When The Toils Of Life Are Over/ In The New Jerusalem," released on December 4, 2020, stands as a profound lyrical testament to the Christian hope of eternal life and the promise of a glorious future with Christ. This composition transcends a simple hymn, presenting a comprehensive vision of eschatological joy that resonates deeply within the soul of anyone longing for heavenly peace. The story embedded within these lyrics is a powerful narrative of transition from earthly struggle to divine triumph, a pilgrimage from a world fraught with cares to a realm of eternal praise and perfect love.
The song begins by painting a vivid scene of ultimate rest, "When the toils of life are over, And we lay our armor down, And we bid farewell to earth with all its cares." This evokes the scriptural promise of a cessation of all suffering and striving, recalling Revelation 21:4, where God will wipe away every tear and there will be no more death or pain. The imagery of laying down armor speaks to the completion of the spiritual battle, mirroring Paul’s declaration in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." The subsequent anticipation of meeting loved ones and, most importantly, crowning Christ in the New Jerusalem, beautifully encapsulates the ultimate reunion and recognition of Jesus as King of Kings, a truth echoed in Revelation 19:16 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, describing the glorious gathering of believers with their Lord.
The refrain, "There'll be singing, there'll be shouting When the saints come marching home, Waving palms with loud hosannas As the King shall take His throne, In the new Jerusalem," bursts forth with an infectious celebration. This passage draws directly from biblical prophecies and historical accounts, conjuring images akin to Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem where crowds cried "Hosanna!" (Matthew 21:9). It further resonates with the multitude described in Revelation 7:9-10, standing before the throne with palm branches, proclaiming salvation. The "singing" and "shouting" are not just expressions of joy but acts of worship, fulfilling the eternal purpose of the redeemed to glorify God without end. This section powerfully reinforces the concept of the new Jerusalem as a place of vibrant, unrestrained adoration for the enthroned King.
Even amidst such future glory, the song thoughtfully acknowledges the present reality: "Though the way is sometimes lonely, He will hold me with His hand, Through the testings and the trials I must go." This honest admission of earthly hardship is immediately countered by an unwavering faith in divine companionship, a comfort drawn from passages like Isaiah 41:10 ("Do not fear, for I am with you") and Psalm 23:4 ("Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me"). The surrender of "I'll trust and gladly follow, For sometime I'll understand," speaks to a profound reliance on God's sovereignty, trusting that His purposes will be fully revealed in eternity, a sentiment aligning with 1 Corinthians 13:12, where we are promised to know fully, even as we are fully known.
The journey towards this eternal understanding continues with the poignant verse, "When the last goodbye is spoken And the tear stains wiped away, And our eyes shall catch a glimpse of glory fair, Then with bounding hearts we'll meet Him Who hath washed our sins away, In the new Jerusalem." This section offers immense comfort, assuring that all sorrow will cease, as Revelation 21:4 once again promises. The wiping away of tears signifies a complete healing from all earthly grief, preparing hearts for the moment when believers will finally behold the face of their Savior, a blessed hope alluded to in 1 John 3:2. This encounter is not merely visual but deeply personal, with "bounding hearts" meeting the One who, according to Revelation 1:5, "loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood."
The final verse culminates in a grand vision of eternal fellowship and spiritual perfection: "When we join the ransomed army In the summer land above, And the face of our dear Savior we behold, We will sing and shout forever, And we'll grow in perfect love, In the new Jerusalem." The term "ransomed army" beautifully portrays the redeemed as a collective, triumphant body, bought with a price, as detailed in Revelation 5:9. The aspiration to "grow in perfect love" speaks to the ultimate sanctification promised to believers, becoming fully conformed to the image of Christ, as described in Romans 8:29 and Ephesians 4:13. This is not a static eternity, but one of dynamic spiritual flourishing, where love reigns supreme and worship never ceases.
Gloria Bailey’s "When The Toils Of Life Are Over/ In The New Jerusalem" is far more than a song; it is a meditation, a declaration of faith, and a powerful source of encouragement. It masterfully weaves together core tenets of Christian hope—the end of suffering, reunion with loved ones and Christ, triumphant worship, God’s enduring presence in trials, and eternal sanctification—all firmly rooted in the imagery and promises of Holy Scripture. The composition serves as a spiritual anchor, reminding believers to fix their gaze beyond present difficulties to the glorious reality awaiting them. It is a compelling lyrical journey that inspires perseverance, ignites adoration, and paints an incredibly inviting picture of the New Jerusalem, making the unseen future a tangible hope for all who embrace its timeless message.