Lyrics
Come, ye thankful people, come,
Raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in,
Ere the winter storms begin.
God, our Father does provide
For our needs to be supplied;
Come to God's own temple, come,
Raise the song of harvest home.
All the blessings of the field,
All the stores the gardens yield,
All the fruits in full supply,
Ripened 'neath the summer sky,
All that spring with bounteous hand
Scatters o'er the smiling land,
All that liberal autumn pours
From its rich o'er-flowing stores.
These to Thee, our God, we owe,
Source whence all our blessings flow;
And for these our souls shall raise
Grateful vows and solemn praise.
Come, then, thankful people, come,
Raise the song of harvest home;
Come to God's own temple, come,
Raise the song of harvest home.
Even so, Lord, quickly come
To Thy final harvest home.
Gather Thou Thy people in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin,
There forever glorified
In Thy presence to abide.
Come with all Thine angels, come,
Raise the glorious harvest home.
For a nice piano arrangement of "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come," click here.
The Story Behind the Hymn
"Come, Ye Thankful People" is considered to be one of the most well-known and frequently sung harvest-thanksgiving hymns in all of hymnody. It was written for the English harvest festivals, a movable feast varying with the harvest time in the various villages. Its author, Henry "Dean" Alford, is generally regarded as one of the most gifted Christian leaders of the nineteenth century, distinguishing himself as a theologian, scholar, writer, poet, artist, and musician.
Hymnology (the study of hymns) was one of Henry Alford's major interests, and, even though he composed many of them, "Come, Ye Thankful People" is the only one still in general use in most hymnals. This hymn first appeared in Alford's Psalms and Hymns in 1844. It was originally titled "After Harvest" and was accompanied by the text, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:6). The hymn originally contained seven verses, but only four have remained in common usage.
The first verse of this harvest hymn is an invitation and an exhortation to give thanks to God in the earthly temple—His Church—for the heavenly care and provision of our earthly needs. The following two verses are interesting commentary on the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares as recorded in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. The final verse is a prayer for the Lord's return—"the final harvest home"—the ultimate, culminating demonstration of God's goodness in His eternal purpose of man's Redemption.
It is said that at the end of a hard day's work, as well as after every meal, it was customary practice for "Dean" Alford to stand to his feet and give thanks to God for the blessings just received or enjoyed during the day. This spirit of perpetual gratitude is clearly evidenced throughout this hymn.