About the song

For those who truly appreciate the foundational voices of country music, few artists resonate with the quiet dignity and profound sincerity of Jim Reeves. Known affectionately as “Gentleman Jim,” his smooth, velvet baritone redefined country music in the late 1950s and early 1960s, paving the way for what would become known as the Nashville Sound. He possessed an effortless ability to convey deep emotion without ever resorting to theatrics, making his songs feel like personal conversations rather than grand performances. His timeless appeal lies in that genuine warmth and the comforting wisdom woven into his delivery.

Among his sacred and most reflective recordings, the hymn “This World Is Not My Home” stands as a particularly poignant example of Reeves’s ability to touch the soul. While the song itself is a traditional gospel hymn with roots stretching back decades, it was Reeves’s gentle yet powerful interpretation, released around 1962, that brought it to a wider audience and cemented its place in many hearts. It’s a song that speaks to a universal longing, a sense that our earthly existence is but a temporary stop on a longer, more spiritual journey.

For listeners of a certain age, particularly those who have contemplated life’s bigger questions, “This World Is Not My Home” offers a profound sense of peace and perspective. It’s not a song of despair, but rather one of quiet hope and acceptance. The lyrics express a longing for a heavenly abode, a place where troubles cease and eternal rest is found. Reeves’s unadorned vocal, backed by a simple, reverent arrangement, allows the message to shine through with crystal clarity. There’s a comforting assurance in his voice, a spiritual conviction that transcends mere performance. It’s the kind of song you might hear at a quiet Sunday service, or perhaps play during a moment of personal contemplation, finding solace in its timeless message. It serves as a gentle reminder that while we navigate the joys and sorrows of this life, there’s a deeper, more enduring home awaiting us, a sentiment that speaks to the heart of faith and the human spirit’s eternal quest.

Video

Lyrics

This world is not my home
I’m just a-passing through
My treasures are laid up
Somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me
From heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If heaven’s not my home
Then Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore
I have a loving mother
Just up in Gloryland
And I don’t expect to stop
Until I shake her hand
She’s waiting now for me
In heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If heaven’s not my home
Then Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore
Just over in Gloryland
We’ll live eternally
The saints on every hand
Are shouting victory
Their songs of sweetest praise
Drift back from heaven’s shore
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If heaven’s not my home
Then Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home In this world any more