Quotation on which both poems were based:
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5-6)

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy Stephen Jacob, 1875 Oh weary Christian toiling on in sorrow     Faint not nor fear     Whate'er thy grief     Christ gives relief     Be of good cheer Look forward, for thou'l't have a bright tomorrow What is it makes thee weep and mourn so sadly?     Why so cast down?     The world may frown     Christ standeth near     He'll dry thy tear And bring thee forth in triumph smiling gladly The sower sows his seed with toil and trouble     And e'er he reaps     The golden grain     He often weeps     But then again For all his toil and care his joy is double Joseph in prison lay in sorrow bending     Ere he could gain     The signet ring     Of Egypt's king     The golden chain And ride triumphant, grateful hosts attending Jesus once served on earth but now before him     In homage low     The angels bow     He once was slain     But now doth reign In heaven while saints unceasingly adore him So thou shalt have thy joyous day of reaping     The harvest home     Will then be come     And that bright day     Shall wipe away The memory of all thy bitter weeping

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy Clara Jacob (née Forlong) 1875 Sow ye the precious seed of life Though all around oppose God who the seed to thee has given Can conquer all thy foes Sow ye the seed, be not dismayed Now is the time to sow To scatter fast the precious seed Short is the time below Sow ye the seed although the ground A barren waste may lie The precious seed is God's own care He will not let it die Sow ye the seed although earth's tares Are round thee everywhere Thou knowest not, the little seed May spring and grow e'en there Sow ye the seed although the heart Stony and hard may prove Maybe the stony heart may yield With faithful words of love Sow ye the seed, although with grief The heart is bowed low Go tell of him who grief and pain Bore for us here below Sow ye the seed, the reaping time Is quickly drawing near When all the sheaves we'll see above That we have gathered here 'Tis then our life of toil and care Our sowing time will cease And on our loving Saviour's breast We'll find eternal peace

Thou art with me Stephen Jacob, 30.5.75 I once, my Lord, was gayest of the gay, And everything that heart could wish I had But e'en with wealth And health I oft was sad For thou wast far away. How oft upon a sleepless bed I lie, My body's weary but I think of thee, And even night Seems bright For thou art with me And thy help is nigh And oft with sickness worn, I toss from side to side Upon my weary bed But even pain Seems gain Since thou hast said I will with thee abide. And when at length in vain with death I've striven And my last hour is come I'll have no fear For here I'll close my eyes And waking rise To join thee in thy home, in heaven.