Sunday Hymn – Beyond the Sunset

Virgil P. Brock told how he wrote this favorite hymn about heaven:

This song was born during a conversation at the dinner table, one evening in 1936, after watching a very unusual sunset at Winona Lake, Indiana, with my blind cousin Horace Burr and his wife, Grace.  My blind cousin excitedly remarked that he had never seen a more beautiful sunset.

“People are always amazed when you talk about seeing,” I told him. “I can see,” Horace replied. “I see through other people’s eyes, and I think I often see more;  I see beyond the sunset.”

The phrase “beyond the sunset” and the striking inflection of his voice struck me so forcibly, I began singing the first few measures.  “That’s beautiful!” his wife interrupted. “Please go to the piano and sing it.”

We went to the piano nearby and completed the first verse.  Before the evening meal was finished, all four stanzas had been written and we sang the entire song together.

Beyond the Sunset

Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning, when with our Saviour heav’n is begun.
Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning; beyond the sunset when day is done.

Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather; no storms will threaten, no fears annoy;
O day of gladness, O day unending, beyond the sunset, eternal joy!

Beyond the sunset, a hand will guide me to God the Father, whom I adore;
His glorious presence, His words of welcome,will be my portion on that fair shore.

Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion with our dear loved ones who’ve gone before.
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting-beyond the sunset for evermore!