The exact details of the writing of this hymn are not known, but from a number of different sources we find that the writer, James Black, was a Sunday School teacher in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In 1893 he supposedly befriended a poorly dressed girl who lived "down on Front Street, along the river". He invited her to attend Sunday School but she hesitated because of her shabby clothes. Black apparently saw to it that she had something decent to wear and she began to attend. One day when he called the roll she failed to answer. Upon checking on her he found that she was very sick with typhoid fever and had little hope of recovery. Death came quickly. It is said that when Black realized that she would never again be there when the roll was called, he made the comment that he trusted that when the roll is called up yonder that she'll be there. It is said that he couldn't find an appropriate song to respond to this sad situation and that this was a big disappointment to him. The thought came to him that he should try to write one. It is said that tears filled his eyes and when he got home he sat at his piano and the words and music to this hymn just flowed from his heart. And neither the words or the music have ever been changed. And so for many years this up tempo song has been sung by thousands as a reminder of the day when an important roll will be called. And those of us whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will be there to respond and enter the joys of that heavenly realm. What a day that will be! Is your name written there? Will you be there to respond when that roll is called up yonder? If your answer is yes then you can joyfully sing along with this old time favorite this week. If not, then place your trust in what Christ has done for you at Calvary.
1. 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,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.
2. On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather 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,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.
3. Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till 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,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.
Listen to it being sung here. LISTEN
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