Farther On appears to be a hymn out of the shape note tradition of the Southern singing schools; however, it’s origins are uncertain. Like many hymn texts of its time, Farther On is a song of perseverance, of keeping on in the face of adversity even to the end. As the last verse says:
At my grave, oh, still be singing,
Though you weep for one that’s gone.
Sing it as we once did sing it;
It is better farther on.
I learned the song and based my arrangement on a very moving version by the Zahasky family, also known as the Alaska String Band. You can watch their performance on YouTube.
The video was produced by Deb Phelps, founding pastor of DisciplesNet Church, an online congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Farther On was included in DisciplesNet Worship #155.