GHS 51 THAT BLESSED CANAAN LAND
“That Blessed Canaan Land” is a hymn that originated in the African American spiritual tradition and has since become a popular song in many Christian churches. The author and composer of the hymn are unknown, but it is believed to have been written in the late 19th century.
The hymn is a celebration of the eternal life promised to believers in Christ and the hope of reaching a heavenly home. The opening lines of the hymn declare, “There’s a land beyond the river, / That we call the sweet forever, / And we only reach that shore by faith’s decree.”
Throughout the hymn, the verses describe the joys of this promised land, including the beauty of the landscape and the reunion with loved ones who have gone before. The chorus, which is repeated several times throughout the hymn, encourages believers to press on in faith and hope: “Oh, the land of sweet delight! / Oh, that blessed Canaanite! / We’ll be there, there beyond the blue, / Where the faithful all are true.”
The hymn is typically sung in a soulful and emotive manner, often accompanied by clapping or swaying. Many arrangements of the hymn include additional verses or variations on the melody. “That Blessed Canaan Land” has become a beloved song in the African American spiritual tradition and continues to inspire and uplift people of faith around the world.
