Download I`m But a Stranger Here 1 Published in: 1836 The text was written by

I’m But a Stranger Here 1st Published in: 1836
By request from Ms. Ruth Benduhn
The text was written by;
Thomas R. Taylor (1807 – 1835)
Thomas Rawson Taylor, son of the Rev. Thomas Taylor, sometime Congregational Minister at
Bradford, Yorkshire, was born at Ossett, near Wakefield, May 9th. 1807, and was educated at the
Free School, Bradford, and the Leaf Square Academy, Manchester. From the age of 15 to 18 he
was engaged, first in a merchant's, and then in a printer's office. Influenced by strong religious
desires, he entered the Airedale Independent College at 18 to prepare for the Congregational
ministry. His first and only charge was Howard Street Chapel, Sheffield. This he retained about
six months, entering upon the charge in July 1830 and leaving it in the January following. For
only a short time he acted as classical tutor at Airedale College, but failing health which
compelled him to leave Sheffield also necessitated his resigning his tutorship. He died March
7th. 1835 aged 27.
A volume of his "Memoirs and Select Remains", by W.S. Matthews, including several poems
and a few hymns was published in 1836.
His best known hymn is "I'm but a stranger here". This hymn was apparently written during his
last illness. It was headed "Heaven is my Home. Air 'Robin Adair'".
The words of this anthem do indicate that he indeed thought about his time here on earth as
belonging to God. The words remind us that there are troubles, pains, sorrow and limitations but
in the end we will be at the Lord’s right hand when he calls us home.
Remember also that while we are here, we rejoice in the knowledge that “Whatever my earthly
lot,
Heaven is my home”.
I’m but a stranger here is a hymn of trust and can be used at any time during the church year.
This Hymn is often used during funeral services.
The Hymn tune was written by;
Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan ( May 13, 1842 – November 22, 1900) was an English composer,
of Irish and Italian descent, best known for his operatic collaborations with librettist W. S.
Gilbert, including such continually-popular works as H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance,
and The Mikado. Sullivan's artistic output included 23 operas, 13 major orchestral works, eight
choral works and oratorios, two ballets, incidental music to several plays, and numerous hymns
and other church pieces, songs, parlor ballads, part songs, carols, and piano and chamber pieces.
Apart from his comic operas with Gilbert, Sullivan is best known for some of his hymns and
parlor songs, including “Onward Christian Soldiers", "The Absent-Minded Beggar", and “The
Lost Chord".
I’m But a Stranger Here Hymn # 417 CW
I'm but a stranger here,
Heav'n is my home;
Earth is a desert dread,
Heav'n is my home.
Danger and sorrow stand
Round me on every hand;
Heav'n is my fatherland,
Heav'n is my home.
3. There at my Savior's side
Heav'n is my home;
I shall be glorified,
Heav'n is my home;
There are the good and blest,
Those I love most and best;
And there I, too, shall rest,
Heav'n is my home.
2. What though the tempest rage,
Heav'n is my home;
Short is my pilgrimage,
Heav'n is my home;
And time's wild wintry blast
Soon shall be overpast;
I shall reach home at last,
Heav'n is my home.
4. Therefore I murmur not,
Heav'n is my home;
Whate'er my earthly lot,
Heav'n is my home;
And I shall surely stand
There at my Lord's right hand.
Heav'n is my fatherland,
Heav'n is my home.