O Paradise O Paradise

This hymn about heaven which is sometimes used at funerals was written by English hymn-writer, theologian, Roman Catholic convert and priest, Fr Frederick William Faber (1814-1863).

With meter 86.86.66.66, tunes it is set to include:

PARADISE (Barnby) by English organist, choirmaster and composer Joseph Barnby 1866 - the most commonly used tune
PARADISE (Dykes) by John B. Dykes, 1868
PARADISE (Smart) by English lawyer and composer Henry Thomas Smart (1813-1879)
An unnamed tune by Harry Hicks, 2018

Downloads

Sheet music - piano and vocal. PARADISE (Barnaby)

PowerPoint
slides

New tune by Harry Hicks, arranged for piano / vocal / chords. Digital download.

Examples

Samll group with string accompaniment, tune by Barnaby:

Small choir, unaccompanied:

Instruemntal - piano. Tune by Barnaby

Lyrics

Traditional language

1 O paradise! O paradise!
Who doth not crave for rest?
Who would not seek the happy land
where they that loved are blest.

Chorus:
Where loyal hearts and true
stand ever in the light.
all rapture through and through,
in God's most holy sight?

2 O paradise! O paradise!
The world is growing old;
who would not be at rest and free
where love is never cold.

3 O paradise! O paradise!
I want to sin no more,
I want to be as pure on earth
as on thy spotless shore.

4 O paradise! O paradise!
'Tis weary waiting here;
I long to be where Jesus is,
to feel, to see him near.

5 O paradise! O paradise!
I shall not wait for long;
e'en now the loving ear may catch
faint fragments of thy song.

6 Lord Jesus, King of paradise,
O keep me in thy love,
and guide me to that happy land
of perfect rest above.

Modern English

1 O paradise! O paradise!
Who does not crave for rest?
Who would not seek the happy land
where they that loved are blest.

Chorus:
Where loyal hearts and true
stand ever in the light.
all rapture through and through,
in God's most holy sight?

2 O paradise! O paradise!
The world is growing old;
who would not be at rest and free
where love is never cold.

3 O paradise! O paradise!
I want to sin no more,
I want to be as pure on earth
as on your spotless shore.

4 O paradise! O paradise!
'Tis weary waiting here;
I long to be where Jesus is,
to feel, to see him near.

5 O paradise! O paradise!
I shall not wait for long;
e'en now the loving ear may catch
faint fragments of thy song.

6 Lord Jesus, King of paradise,
O keep me in Your love,
and guide me to that happy land
of perfect rest above.