Here is the Sweet Songster words (publication date, 1854)

I came to the spot where the white pilgrim lay,
And pensively stood by his tomb-
When in a low whisper I heard something say-
How sweetly I sleep here alone!

The tempest may howl, and the loud thunders roll,
And gathering storms may arise-
Yet calm are my feelings, at rest is my soul,
The tears are all wiped from my eyes.

The call of my Master propels me from home *
I bid my companions farewell-
I left my dear children, who now for me mourn,
In a far distant region to dwell.

I wandered an exile, and stranger below,
To publish salvation abroad-
The trump of the gospel endeav'ring to blow,
Inviting poor sinners to God.

But when among strangers, and far from my home,
No kindred nor relatives nigh-
I met the contagion and sank in the tomb,
My spirit to mansions on high.

Go tell my companion and children most dear,
To weep not for Joseph that's gone-
The same hand that led me thro' scenes dark and drear
Will kindly conduct me safe home.**

* By the time I started going to church with Mom and Dad, they were singing this line, "The love of my Savior influenced me here."

**...and this one was sung,"Has kindly conducted me home.

The seven verses, about the widow, also follow along here, but were not sung. The song-leaders never lined them out; Mom said that this was a different song, that had mistakenly got tacked onto, "The White Pilgrim." I have no further proof of this, but it makes sense to me.

As for the tune, I believe that Doc Watson's tune is the same one used in our church. Sandy- is this on Edna's recording for Folk-Legacy? Can't find my copy just now. Jean