Come Ye Thankful People, Come

SONG WRITER: Henry Alford                    

WHEN WRITTEN: 1844

HYMN HISTORY: This hymn was written by Henry Alford, a 19th century Anglican clergyman.  Alford was quite a remarkable person.  At age six, he wrote a biography of the Apostle Paul.  At age ten, he wrote a pamphlet entitled, "Looking Unto Jesus the Believers' Support Under Trials and Afflictions."  At age 16, he committed his life to Christian service, and served nearly half a century as an Anglican clergyman.  For the last 14 years of his life, he served as dean of the Canterbury Cathedral.  Alford wrote 48 books –– the most important being a four-volume commentary on the Greek New Testament.  He wrote several hymns, but this is only one that is widely sung today.

BIBLE VERSE:  Revelation 22:20 – “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” ESV

HYMN LYRICS:
Come, ye thankful people, come,
Raise the song of harvest home!
All is safely gathered in,
Ere the winter storms begin;
God, our Maker, doth provide
For our wants to be supplied;
Come to God's own temple, come;
Raise the song of harvest home!

We ourselves are God's own field,
Fruit unto his praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown
Unto joy or sorrow grown;
First the blade and then the ear,
Then the full corn shall appear;
Grant, O harvest Lord, that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,
And shall take the harvest home;
From His field shall in that day
All offences purge away,
Giving angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store
In the garner evermore.

Then, thou Church triumphant come,
Raise the song of harvest home!
All be safely gathered in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified,
In God's garner to abide;
Come, ten thousand angels, come,
Raise the glorious harvest home!