Lyrics:

1. Thanks for the Sabbath School. Hail to the day
When evil and error are fleeing away.
Thanks for our teachers who labor with care
That we in the light of the gospel may share.

(Chorus)
Join in the jubilee; mingle in song.
Join in the joy of the Sabbath School throng.
Great be the glory of those who do right,
Who overcome evil, in good take delight.

2. Now in the morning of life let us try
Each virtue to cherish, all vice to decry;
Strive with the noble in deeds that exalt,
And battle with energy each childish fault.

3. May we endeavor through life’s devious way
To watch and be earnest, true wisdom display;
Try to o’ercome each temptation and snare,
Thereby full salvation eternally share.

Text: William Willes, 1814-1890
Music: James R. Murray, 1841-1905

-History: (Source: Wikipedia)

Written By: William Willes

William Willes (1814–1890) was an early Latter-day Saint songwriter and, along with Hugh Findlay, was one of the first Mormon missionaries to enter India.

Willes was born in England. He was well-educated and by the age of 22 became head of a boys’ school in Cardiff, Wales. He lost his position as a result of joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1848.^[1] In 1851 he and Findlay traveled to India, where they met limited success. He sailed for the United States in 1855.

Willes served as a “Sabbath School missionary” after his arrival in Utah. He was an accomplished singer and premiered a song by Eliza R. Snow at the Salt Lake City July 4 celebration in 1861.^[2][3]

Willes has the following hymns to his credit in the current LDS hymnal:

• Come Along, Come Along, 244
• Thanks for the Sabbath School, 278

Willes has no relation to early Mormon figure William S. S. Willes.

Music By: James R. Murray