“When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder” isn’t just a hymn; it’s a promise wrapped in melody, a beacon of hope that has carried believers through life’s darkest storms. There’s something deeply comforting in the way this song gently yet firmly reminds us of the eternal reunion that awaits those who walk the path of faith.
Written by James M. Black in 1893, the hymn’s origins are rooted in Black’s genuine concern for a young Sunday school student who was absent one day. The idea that someone might miss out on the ultimate heavenly gathering stirred his heart, leading to the creation of these enduring lyrics. It’s a story that speaks to the human fear of being forgotten, and the hymn offers solace by assuring us that no one is overlooked in the eyes of the divine.
What makes “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder” so special is its simplicity. The words are straightforward, yet they carry a profound depth. They paint a picture of that glorious day when the faithful will be called together, a roll call in heaven where all the sorrows of this world will be left behind. It’s a vision that has brought peace to countless souls over the years, reminding us that there’s a place for everyone in the hereafter.
But this song isn’t just about the future; it’s a call to action in the present. It encourages us to live in a way that prepares us for that final roll call, to walk the path of righteousness with the hope of being reunited with loved ones in the light of eternity. Whether sung in a quiet church or a bustling revival meeting, the hymn resonates with a shared longing for that day when we’ll all be together again.
Singing “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder” is like sharing a secret smile with someone who understands—someone who knows that no matter how tough life gets, there’s a better day coming. It’s a song that has comforted generations, and it continues to do so, connecting us to those who came before us and those who will come after, all waiting for that roll to be called
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Lyrics
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more
And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there
When the roll is called up yonder
(When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there)
When the roll is called up yonder
(When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there
When the roll is called up yonder
(When the roll is called up yonder)
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there
On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise
And the glory of His resurrection share
When His chosen ones are gathered to their home beyond the skies
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there
When the roll is called up yonder
(When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there)
When the roll is called up yonder
(When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there)
When the roll is called up yonder
(When the roll is called up yonder)
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there
Let us labor for the Master from the dawn ’til setting sun
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care
Then when all of life is over and our work on earth is done
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there
When the roll is called up yonder
(When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there)
When the roll is called up yonder
(When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there)
When the roll is called up yonder
(When the roll is called up yonder)
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there
When the roll is called up yonder
(When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there)
When the roll is called up yonder
(When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there)
When the roll is called up yonder
(When the roll is called up yonder)
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there