Farther On
Hymn Music from the ShapeNote Tradition

Farther On hymn music is one of the sweetest songs for a memorial service or funeral that you will ever find. 

Full of hope and promise, the melody and harmony are lovely and stirring. 

This is the performance that first stole my heart, by the Alaska String Band:

On this page at my other website, Music-for-Music-Teachers.com, you'll find links to guitar tabs for this song in 2 keys, lead sheets, and also a very close copy of the actual vocal  ensemble (for sale) that the Zahaskys are singing in the video!

A version for piano

Offered here is a new piano arrangement, in the keys of D, Eb, F, and G.

Farther On hymn sheet music

Please scroll down the page for the links to the free downloadable PDFs.

Here is a closeup of page one, in the key of F:

Closeup of page one of the hymn Farther On in the key of F, for piano

Such beautiful words of hope are spoken in this song:

"As we travel through the desert, storms beset us by the way,
But beyond the river Jordan lies a field of endless day."

The chorus encourages believers to persevere, knowing God said, "I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you."  Joshua 1:5, Hebrews 13:5.

"Farther on, still go farther!  Count the milestones one by one;
Jesus will forsake you never.  It is better farther on."

Here is a closeup of the bottom of page one:

Farther On hymn in the key of D for piano, bottom of page one

And here is what the top of page two looks like, in the key of Eb.


Farther On hymn piano music, page two, in the key of E flat.

The long broken chord at the end of each chorus also serves as a rhythmic inducement for a congregation to jump back into the beginning of the next verse.  

You know how sometimes a hymn or worship chorus fails to supply a strong signal to the congregation?  I'm hoping that will not be the case with this arrangement!

I wish I could post a link to the Zahasky family's website, the group called the Alaska String Band, but it appears to have gone away.

Additional versions - guitar tabs & vocal harmony

On this page at my other website, Music-for-Music-Teachers.com, you'll find links to guitar tabs for this song in 2 keys, lead sheets in 4 keys, and also a very close copy of the actual vocal  ensemble (for sale) that the Zahaskys are singing in the video!


The links to the piano music:



Download Farther On hymn music for piano in the key of D



Download the funeral hymn in the key of Eb



Download Farther On in the key of F



Download this lovely hymn in the key of G




Thank you for visiting!


Night sky with stars

Interested in beginner & easy piano music for your piano, voice, & guitar students? Check out my other website, Music-for-Music-Teachers.com!

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Hi, I'm Dana!  (Say that like "Anna".)  I'm the owner of Music-for-Music-Teachers.com, and this  newer site,  SingTheBibleStory.com.

Like some of you, I've been playing the piano since early childhood, and have added a few other instruments along the way, plus an interest in arranging and composing music.

I also happen to love the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Christian worldview that portrays The Great War in the heavens, in which we here on earth are destined to be a part.  

You can find out more about  the reason for this website at the Home  page.