Farther Along
Parton Ronstadt Harris Lyrics


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Tempted and tried we're oft made to wonder why it should be thus all the day long
While there are others living about us, never molested, though in the wrong
When death has come and taken our loved ones, it leaves our home so lonely and dreary
Then do we wonder why others prosper living so wicked year after year
Farther along we'll know all about it; farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up, my brother; live in the sunshine, we'll understand it all by and by
Faithful till death said our loving master; a few more days to labor and wait
Toils of the road will then seem as nothing as we sweep through the beautiful gates
Farther along we'll know all about it...




Yes, we'll understand it all by and by

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Farther Along by Parton Ronstadt Harris begin by acknowledging the common human experience of wondering why some people seem to experience trials and hardships while others seem to live easy lives. The song then moves to focus on the pain of losing a loved one, and questioning why those who live wickedly seem to prosper while good people suffer. The chorus offers hope that in the future, hopefully, understanding will come and things will become clear. The final verse speaks to the idea of remaining faithful until death and continuing to labor and wait for the reward that awaits beyond the gates of heaven.


Overall, the song offers a message of hope and encouragement to those who may be struggling to make sense of difficult situations or unexplained hardships. It suggests that there may be larger forces at work that we can't yet comprehend, and that eventually, all will become clear. And in the meantime, we are encouraged to keep the faith, hold on to hope, and continue to live our lives with integrity and perseverance.


Line by Line Meaning

Tempted and tried we're oft made to wonder why it should be thus all the day long
We are frequently tempted and tested with trials, and this often leads us to question why we must endure them throughout the entirety of our days.


While there are others living about us, never molested, though in the wrong
Others who are in the wrong may appear to go through life without issues, while we must suffer even though we are attempting to do right.


When death has come and taken our loved ones, it leaves our home so lonely and dreary
The passing of those we love leaves us feeling alone and melancholic, with a sense of emptiness pervading our homes.


Then do we wonder why others prosper living so wicked year after year
In the face of such loss, we may be perplexed by the fact that those who act immorally continue to flourish over extended periods of time.


Farther along we'll know all about it; farther along we'll understand why
As we progress down the journey of life, we will become wise enough to comprehend why we have suffered so, and everything that seemed incomprehensible will be clear to us.


Cheer up, my brother; live in the sunshine, we'll understand it all by and by
In the meanwhile, it is worth it to embrace hope and happiness, and rest in the confidence that someday we will gain insight into the workings of the universe.


Faithful till death said our loving master; a few more days to labor and wait
Our devoted master has spoken about the value of faithfulness, and we are to continue working tirelessly until our days are done.


Toils of the road will then seem as nothing as we sweep through the beautiful gates
Despite the numerous difficulties we encounter along our journey, once we arrive at our destination, all of our struggles will vanish as we enter a new and serene environment.


Farther along we'll know all about it...
The full comprehension of the complexities of the world awaits us in the future.


Yes, we'll understand it all by and by
We will undoubtedly attain wisdom and insight as we move forward in life.




Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, O/B/O CAPASSO, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: W B. Stevens

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@fredupchurch4925

After the first 15+ times I listened to this when the album was released, I had what I thought was a good understanding of the display of the voices, production values, and arrangements here. I saw that the album was 'good. The inspiration and craft was obvious. I and others liked it and played it often. Time passed. Everything changed as it always does. I passed my musical attention to other things.

Many years later, I hear and understand music differently. A lifetime of playing and loving music has passed since those times when I first heard this piece. I appreciate this music and its' inspiration far more now than I did then. Time passes, as it must; and we ourselves change.

This means, for me, that I now hear this with different ears that hear far more now than I did back then. The components of the music have not changed. Now, years later, I can hear that there was much, much more going on!

All this is to say that this portrayal of music offers the listener vastly different levels of involvement. The genius here is that every track stands on its' own for a casual listener. The basic lines are easily understood. But at the same time, very complex musical ideas are also there. Both the simple and the complex co-exist without interfering or contradicting each other.

This is very exceptional artistry. Further, deponent sayeth not.



@billfindon8968

The lyrics to the song were written in 1911 by Rev. W. A. Fletcher, an
itinerant preacher, while he was traveling to the Indian Territories by
train. Fletcher was feeling depressed because his wife was expecting
their first-born child in a few weeks and he wouldn't be present for the
occasion. He felt that his priorities were with his ministry in the
Indian Territories and wrote the lyrics to reflect his frame of mind at
the time. Sitting next to him on the train was J. R. Baxter, a gospel
music promoter who was quite taken with the lyrics that Fletcher was
writing and offered him $2.00 for them. Mr. Baxter subsequently had them
put to music and the song has been quite popular in the gospel music
arena ever since.
The song deals with a Christian's dismay at the
apparent prosperity of the wicked, when contrasted with the suffering of
the righteous. The repeated theme is that, in Heaven, the truth will be
revealed.



All comments from YouTube:

@elmuanhangzo8919

Farther along, in His grace, will I understand it all, all in His good time.

@darlingtonekabaghe7695

Rev Fletcher was God given wisdom to write this .Glory .it makes me cry when l hear this song.

@rhondaboncutter5812

People, take a breath and look at the news, all the unrest here in our Country and around the world! Take God into your heart, be ready! God Bless us all!

@rhondaboncutter5812

Recently, so much unrest, I am so worried about what is gonna happen to our world! God Bless us and keep us all safe! Jesus Name , Amen!

@kathleenmccarthy9828

Here I am 7 yrs later singing this song at my cousins funeral who dies at 45yrs old…rest in peace amber jolley.

@rhondaboncutter5812

Amen!

@CastleMr40

I did not know D. Parton wrote this beautiful song. The day Elvis died, I got out my Elvis record collection and began playing it from beginning to end. I found this song on one of Elvis' albums. I had never played it before. It was the perfect song for the day Elvis died. I took it to the radio station where I worked and had the deejay pay it the next morning.

@katsview928

Dolly Parton did not write this song....It was written in 1911 by Reverend W.A. Fletcher while traveling on a train through Indian territories. Even though he was feeling depressed because his wife was expecting their first child and he wasn't going to be there for the birth. He still felt that his priorities were with his ministry and wrote these lyrics to reflect his frame of mind at the time. A gospel music prompter, J.R. Baxter, happened to be sitting beside him on the train, and loved the lyrics...he subsequently offered him $2.00 for them, had them put to music, and as they say.......the rest is history

@fukeungchan2280

Great Trios song brings back remember memories of my beautiful wife forever love always tears from heart xxxxxxxxxx

@eliseerudahigwaofficial4876

God bless your family for this legacy!

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