When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder – Hearty Hymns from A to Z

James Milton Black (1856-1938), a Pennsylvania Methodist Sunday school teacher, wrote this hymn just before the run of the 20^th century. According to church lore, Black penned these words after marking a student absent from class and suggesting the youngster would at least be present when the roster is recited in Heaven.

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.

Refrain:

When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
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 shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

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.

Listen to Burl Ives’ recording of “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder” (and try not to picture “Frosty the Snowman, while you are listening to this one).

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