The Exiles of Eden 12s & 11s
By David Wright
- Key
- A minor
- Type
- Folk hymn
- Time signature
-
4
4 - Composed
- 2018
- Text
- Prime's Collection of Hymns, 1809
Description
The verse used here is the last (tenth) stanza, slightly altered, of a spiritual song text from the first decade of the 19th century beginning "There fell from God's favor two exiles of Eden." It likely appeared as a broadside before its printing in Nathaniel Prime's collection; a number of broadside copies have survived. It is a parody of the 1801 Thomas Campbell poem "The Exile of Erin," which also circulated widely in broadside and songster form.
Text
The church of the firstborn to bliss have attained,
Though once they were exiles, and wander'd in time;
Eternity's fullness, the myst'ries explained,
The glory of heaven's unfolding in prime.
Again they're restor'd, to the green, shady bowers,
To live in God's presence for days without end;
They taste of the fruits and they smell of the flowers
And sing the sweet anthems of Eden regain'd.