The Celebration Choir - When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder Lyrics
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.
Refrain:
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.
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. Refrain
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. Refrain
Video
The Celebration Choir - When The Rolls Is Called Up Yonder [with lyrics]
Meaning & Inspiration
The Celebration Choir delivered a spiritually rich rendition of the timeless hymn "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder" on October 5, 2015, breathing new life into a message that has resonated with believers for generations. This song, originally penned by James M. Black in 1893, stands as a cornerstone of Christian hope, articulating the profound assurance of salvation and the eagerly anticipated gathering of the faithful in eternity. At its core, the piece is a vibrant declaration of personal conviction, looking forward to the culmination of God’s redemptive plan and a believer's place within it.
The hymn opens with imagery that immediately transports the listener to the precipice of eternity, speaking of the Lord's trumpet call and the moment "time shall be no more," ushering in an "eternal, bright and fair" morning. This vivid picture draws directly from biblical prophecies concerning the end times and the second coming of Christ. We are reminded of passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:16, which describes the Lord descending from heaven "with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God." The phrase "time shall be no more" echoes the promise of a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more sorrow or pain, as revealed in Revelation 21:4. The song then shifts to the gathering of "the saved of earth... on the other shore," painting a picture of joyful reunion with Christ and fellow believers, a concept deeply rooted in John 14:3, where Jesus promises, "I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." The recurring, deeply personal refrain, "when the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there," acts as a powerful affirmation of faith, a confident echo of Revelation 20:15, where only those whose names are written in the Book of Life are found.
The second verse continues to build upon this glorious vision, speaking of "that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise, and the glory of His resurrection share." This stanza beautifully encapsulates the core Christian belief in the resurrection of the dead, a cornerstone articulated in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, which affirms Christ as the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep," and that "in Christ all will be made alive." The hymn envisions believers sharing in Christ’s triumph over death, ascending to their "home beyond the skies," a heavenly dwelling prepared for them, as Jesus himself described in John 14:2, "My Father’s house has many rooms." This section provides profound comfort and certainty, reassuring individuals that their ultimate destination is secure and glorious.
The final verse transitions from anticipation to present-day responsibility, offering a compelling call to action: "Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun; let us talk of all His wondrous love and care." This is a vital reminder that our eternal hope is inextricably linked to our earthly purpose. It aligns perfectly with Colossians 3:23-24, which exhorts us to "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters," and with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 to "go and make disciples of all nations." The song inspires a life of diligent service and heartfelt evangelism, emphasizing the importance of sharing God's "wondrous love and care." The concluding lines of this verse powerfully bring the journey full circle, assuring that "when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done," the faithful servant will indeed be present when the roll is called, echoing 1 Corinthians 15:58 that our "labor in the Lord is not in vain," and Revelation 14:13, where "their deeds will follow them."
Ultimately, The Celebration Choir's rendition of "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder" is more than just a musical performance; it is a profound spiritual journey through the landscape of Christian eschatology and discipleship. It offers both profound comfort in the face of uncertainty and powerful motivation for purposeful living. By focusing on the unwavering promise of eternal life and the call to faithful service, the song stands as an inspiring anthem for all who seek to live with an eternal perspective, reminding us that our ultimate hope is not in vain, and that indeed, by God's grace, "I'll be there."