Words: Rev. S. M. Glas­gow, cir­ca 1917.

Music: Rev. C. T. Cald­well.

Rev. Motte Mar­tin, of Af­ri­ca, re­cites the mov­ing in­ci­dent of a seek­er af­ter a teach­er for his dis­tant vill­age who, when thrice re­fused, there be­ing none to send, cried out in his brok­en-heart­ed­ness, in re­sponse to the an­swer, “You must wait;” “HOW LONG MUST WE WAIT?” Oh, Teach­er, ask the white man in your land, “HOW LONG MUST WE WAIT”?

If you know the au­thor or com­pos­er’s full name, or where to get pho­tos of them


Long have we sought eternal life,
Years have we waited in sin and strife;
In darkness groped, sad misery’s mate,
How long? how long must we wait?

Refrain

How long? how long must we wait?
How long? how long must we wait?
The lab’rers still are few;
Our Lord has need of you,
How long? how long must we wait?

You know the love of God manifold,
Ages have bro’t you their grace untold;
Peace and a hope, no fear of fate.
How long? how long must we wait?

Refrain

The agèd faint and long for the Friend,
Dark shadows gathering bring the end;
Fades now the light, ’tis growing late.
How long? how long must we wait?

Refrain