You help make Hymnary.org possible.

In 2025, more than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources, and encouragement here. If Hymnary has meant something to you this year, would you take a moment to help sustain it? A gift of any size — and a note of encouragement, if you'd like to share one — directly supports the server costs, research, and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org (c/o Calvin University)
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for being part of this important online ministry resource.

7841. A Little While

1 "A little while!" and He shall come;
The hour draws on apace,
The blessèd hour, the glorious morn,
When we shall see His face:
How light our trials then will seem!
How short our pilgrim way!
Our life on earth a fitful dream,
Dispelled by dawning day!

Refrain:
Then come, Lord Jesus, quickly come,
In glory and in light!
Come take Thy longing children home,
And end earth’s weary night!

2 A little while! with patience, Lord,
I fain would ask, How long?
For how can I with such a hope
Of glory and of home,
With such a joy awaiting me,
Not wish the hour were come?
How can I keep the longing back,
And how suppress the groan? [Refrain]

3 Yet peace, my heart! and hush, my tongue!
Be calm, my troubled breast!
Each passing hour is hastening on
The everlasting rest:
Thou knowest well—the time thy God
Appoints for thee is best:
The morning star will soon arise;
The glow is in the east. [Refrain]

Text Information
First Line: "A little while!" and He shall come
Title: A Little While
Author: Daniel W. Whittle
Refrain First Line: Then come, Lord Jesus, quickly come
Meter: 86.86.86. D
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain
Notes: Some hymnals show the author as El Nathan, one of Whittle's pseudonyms
Tune Information
Name: FINCHLEY
Composer: James McGranahan (1879)
Meter: 86.86.86. D
Key: B♭ Major
Copyright: Public Domain



Media
Adobe Acrobat image: PDF
MIDI file: Midi
Noteworthy Composer score: Noteworthy Composer Score

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.