June 12

We'll Understand in Better By and By

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Rev. Charles Albert Tindley (1851-1933) wrote this song 1905. He was born in Berlin, Maryland July 7, 1851 to Charles and Hester Tindley.  His Father was a slave and his mother was free. He was raised by his mother’s sister (Caroline Miller Robins) after her death in order for him to remain a free person.

 

In 1902 He became a Methodist pastor in Philadelphia, PA.  He was known as a captivating preacher and for also taking an active role in the betterment of the people in his community. His songs were an outgrow of his preaching ministry and at times introduced during his sermons. The Song ‘We’ll Understand it Better By and By”

 

Verse 1 We are often tossed and driv’n On the restless sea of time, Somber skies and howling tempests Oft succeed a bright sunshine, In that land of perfect day, When the mists have rolled away, We will understand it better by and by. Verse 2 We are often destitute Of the things that life demands, Want of food and want of shelter, Thirsty hills and barren lands, We are trusting in the Lord, And according to His word, We will understand it better by and by. Refrain Verse 3 Trials dark on ev’ry hand, And we cannot understand, All the ways that God would lead us To that blessed Promised Land; But He guides us with His eye And we’ll follow till we die. For we’ll understand it better by and by. Refrain Verse 4 Temptations, hidden snares Often take us

unawares, And our hearts are made to bleed For many a thoughtless word or deed, And we wonder why the test When we try to do our best. But we’ll understand it better by and by.

 

Refrain By and by when the morning comes, All the saints of God are gathered home, We’ll tell the story how we’ve overcome: For we’ll understand it better by and by.