Whisnants - When He Calls Us Away Lyrics
Lyrics
V1:
For so long God's children, have looked toward the Heavens,
Watching and listening for the trumpet to sound,
We're all kind of homesick, we're anxiously waiting,
For that glorious morning when we rise from the ground
Chorus:
So, lift your head weary pilgrim, for soon He is coming,
We know not the moment when we'll see His face,
Fight on wounded soldier, hold on a few more days,
It will be worth it all, when He calls us away
V2:
We have been through the fire, but we're not defeated,
we've climbed many mountains on our journey toward home,
Soon the race will be finished, triumphant we will rise,
Oh what a day when we meet Him, in those eastern skies
Repeat Chorus
Bridge:
Press on it won't be very long, until we reach that land of song,
In Heaven some sweet day, I'm going there to stay,
Press on it won't be very, it won't be long,
Tag:
Fight on wounded soldier, hold on a few more days,
It will be worth it all, when He calls us away,
Lift your head weary pilgrim, for it won't be long,
It will be worth it all, when He calls us away
Video
When He Calls Us Away
Meaning & Inspiration
The Whisnants, renowned for their resonant Southern Gospel harmonies and unwavering scriptural messages, released "When He Calls Us Away" on January 1, 2009, as part of their album, *Life Worth Living*. This particular track stands as a profound testament to the steadfast hope of believers, offering solace and strength to those navigating the challenges of their earthly walk while eagerly anticipating their eternal home. It’s a song that speaks directly to the soul of every Christian who feels the pull of eternity, reminding them of the ultimate promise that underpins their faith.
The core meaning of "When He Calls Us Away" is rooted in the anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ and the rapture of the Church. The song eloquently captures the longing and "homesickness" believers often experience for Heaven, a desire so beautifully articulated in Scripture where we are called "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13). It paints a vivid picture of the spiritual journey, acknowledging the arduous path while fixing our gaze firmly on the finish line. The narrative throughout the song serves as a powerful reminder that our current struggles are temporary, and a glorious reward awaits, making every trial worthwhile in the light of eternal joy.
From the very first lines, the song establishes a collective yearning shared by "God's children" who have long "looked toward the Heavens," eagerly "watching and listening for the trumpet to sound." This imagery directly echoes passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, which describes the Lord descending with a shout and the sound of the trumpet, and the faithful being caught up to meet Him. The sentiment of being "anxiously waiting" for "that glorious morning when we rise from the ground" encapsulates the resurrection hope central to Christian doctrine, mirroring Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 15:52 that in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, the dead will be raised imperishable.
The chorus serves as a powerful anthem of encouragement, urging the "weary pilgrim" to "lift your head" and the "wounded soldier" to "fight on." This recognition of the Christian life as both a pilgrimage and a spiritual battle resonates deeply with biblical teachings. Hebrews 12:1 implores us to "run with endurance the race that is set before us," while Ephesians 6:11 calls believers to "put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." The admission, "We know not the moment when we'll see His face," humbly aligns with Christ's own words in Matthew 24:36, emphasizing the sudden and unexpected nature of His return. Yet, despite the unknown timing, the steadfast promise remains: "It will be worth it all, when He calls us away." This declaration mirrors Romans 8:18, where Paul states that "the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
The second verse further illustrates the journey, recognizing that believers "have been through the fire, but we're not defeated," and "climbed many mountains on our journey toward home." This speaks to the refining process of faith, as described in 1 Peter 1:6-7, where trials test the genuineness of our faith, like gold refined by fire. It reassures us that even when facing intense adversity, our ultimate victory is assured through Christ, as Romans 8:37 confidently states, "in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." The joyful expectation of the "race will be finished, triumphant we will rise," culminates in the vivid imagery of meeting Him "in those eastern skies," a direct reference to Christ's visible return from the heavens (Acts 1:11, Matthew 24:27).
The bridge reinforces the call to "Press on it won't be very long, until we reach that land of song," evoking the joyful worship and eternal praise that await us in Heaven, a theme beautifully depicted in Revelation 5:9-10. The assurance, "In Heaven some sweet day, I'm going there to stay," echoes Jesus' comforting words in John 14:2-3, where He promises to prepare a place for us and come again to take us to Himself. Finally, the repeated "Tag" lines, especially "Fight on wounded soldier, hold on a few more days, It will be worth it all, when He calls us away," serve as a powerful and uplifting benediction, encapsulating the song's entire message of enduring hope and imminent glory. "When He Calls Us Away" is not just a song; it's a sermonic hymn, a beacon of encouragement firmly rooted in the eternal truths of Scripture, designed to ignite hope and invigorate the spirit of every believer.