Mennonite song book, Church and Sunday-school Hymnal, hymn #132. In both the 1899 and 1902 books, credit for words and music are given to John B. Matthias, with no mention of McDonald's arrangement. There is hardly any difference in the music between the 1902 and 1909 publications, and the only difference in the words is that the 1909 publication omits stanza 3 as found in the 1902 publication. Wayne Erbsen refers to research done by Gus Meade concluding that Matthias wrote the song. It is certainly possible that "Palms of Victory" was written by someone else, and there seems to be no way to determine exactly how the song came to be. Lyrics and variations Wayworn traveler variation The words as found in the 1902 publication are as follows: Deliverance Will Come I saw a wayworn traveler, in tattered garments clad, And struggling up the mountain, it seemed that he was sad; His back was laden heavy, his strength was almost gone, Yet he shouted as he journeyed, "Deliverance will come!" Then palms of victory, crowns of glory, Palms of victory I shall wear. The summer sun was shining, the sweat was on his brow, His garments worn and dusty, his step seemed very slow; But he kept pressing onward, for he was wending home, Still shouting as he journeyed, "Deliverance will come!" Then palms of victory, crowns of glory, Palms of victory I shall wear. The songsters in the arbor that stood beside the way Attracted his attention, inviting his delay: His watchword being "Onward!" he stopped his ears and ran, Still shouting as he journeyed, "Deliverance will come!" Then palms of victory, crowns of glory, Palms of victory I shall wear. I saw him in the evening; the sun was bending low; He'd overtopped the mountain, and reached the vale below: He saw the Golden City, "his everlasting home" And shouted loud, "Hosanna! Deliverance will come!" Then palms of victory, crowns of glory, Palms of victory I shall wear. While gazing on that city, just o'er the narrow flood, A band of holy angels came from the throne of God; They bore him on their pinions safe o'er the dashing foam, And joined him in his triumph: Deliverance had come! Then palms of victory, crowns of glory, Palms of victory I shall wear. I heard the song of triumph they sang upon that shore, Saying, "Jesus has redeemed