Health has finally permitted me to take up this lovely old song, and it's going into our "last" songbook if no one objects, as follows. I didn't like the repeating last line of the last two verses so I jiggled the words a bit, with a few other minor edits for use in the Episcopal Church. And ;-) I put the title under Z because our songbooks have never had a song in that section of the book! (It'll be easier for the Band to find it as the Zephyr song!)


ZEPHYRS OF HEAVEN SHALL FAN ME TO SLEEP
By James B. Coats ("When the zephyrs of heaven shall fan me to sleep"), 1941, in "Pilgrim Songs" (Stamps-Baxter Music). J.B. Coats was born on April 6, 1901, in Summerland, Mississippi. He attended the schools of his area and was both a student and lover of music all his life... His formal education was continued with study at Mississippi Southern College and Louisiana State University. When just a lad about fourteen, he began teaching music classes and conducting evangelistic singing. Mr. Coats was a teacher in public schools most of his life... He was the composer of many loved gospel songs with "Where Could I Go" haveing been printed and sung most widely. Many of his songs have been recorded by leading quartets and singers... Mr. Coats was associated with Stamps-Baxter Music Company and a lifetime staff writer for them... He joined the Baptist Church and served more than thirty years as a Deacon before answering the call to the ministry. He died on December 15, 1961.

Learned from the singing of Jeanene Pratt. Research courtesy Jeanene Pratt, Danny Coats, Mudcat Cafe. Adapted, edited, arranged (c) 2014 Susan O. Hinton for The Good News-Goodtime Band.


1. When my toiling is over, at setting sun,
Comes the end of a journey-- my race is run.
Many miles I have traveled, and hard the test,
But in heaven some morning, I'll find sweet rest.

REFRAIN:
When the zephyrs of heaven shall fan me to sleep,
On the banks of the river a vigil I'll keep.
Milk and honey to feed me, no more shall I weep
While the zephyrs of heaven shall fan me to sleep.

2. I shall never stop fighting for justice and right.
Every star is His jewel beyond the night.
There's a victory waiting that none can forestall.
On the banks of deliv'rance, His Truth is all.

3. Often I am discouraged, the battle is hard.
In the thick of the fighting, my soul may be scarred.
Yet each time I'm delivered, and my soul is blest.
'Tis a promise from Heaven: I'll find His sweet rest.

SH