I Had A Dream, A Varied Dream: Before My Ravished Sight The City Of My Lord Arose, With All Its Love And Light. The Music Of A Myriad Harps Flowed Out With Sweet Accord; And Saints Were Casting Down Their Crowns In Homage To Our Lord. My Heart Leaped Up With Untold Joy, Life'S Toil And Pain Were O'Er; My Weary Feet At Last Had Found The Bright And Restful Shore. Just As I Reached The Gates Of Light, Ready To Enter In, From Earth Arose A Fearful Cry Of Sorrow And Of Sin. I Turned, And Saw Behind Me Surge A Wild And Stormy Sea; And Drowning Men Were Reaching Out Imploring Hands To Me. And Ev'Ry Lip Was Blanched With Dread, And Moaning For Relief; The Music Of The Golden Harps Grew Fainter For Their Grief. Let Me Return, I Quickly Said, Close To The Pearly Gate; My Work Is With These Wretched Ones, So Wrecked And Desolate. An Angel Smiled And Gently Said: This Is The Gate Of Life, Wilt Thou Return To Earth'S Sad Scenes, Its Weariness And Strife,