Guitar Worship for Visual Learners

WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER

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An old hymn made new. I hope you dig it!

Here's the story behind this old hymn. Back in 1892, James Black was responsible for the roll call at the Methodist Church in Williamsport, PA. A little girl named "Bessie" had been faithfully attending the Epworth League and Sunday School and with each roll call, superintendent Black would hear her respond. James Black had originally invited Bessie to attend and since she came from a poor household, he had arranged personally for clothing items to make the attendance possible.

Then came the Sunday when the roll call was silent. Bessie was absent for the first time. Concerned for the girl's welfare and fearing the worst because her father was a drunkard, James Black quickly made his way after church to Bessie's home where he found a very sick girl. Realizing that it was serious, he summoned his own doctor who diagnosed it as a case of advanced pneumonia.

As Black made his way back home that Sunday afternoon, he was unable to throw off the feeling that had come over him when Bessie failed to respond to the roll call that morning. He thought of the greater roll call coming someday in Heaven and oh, the sadness there will be for those whose names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life. That morning he had tried to find a song to express these feelings but could not. Arriving at his home, James Black went into the house, sat down at the piano and without any effort started to write "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder"

This song was first sung publicly at Bessie's funeral.

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Comment by Clifford on August 27, 2009 at 5:53pm: Excellent playing and singing, God bless you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Misael ChiChi Rivera on August 26, 2009 at 1:00pm: Awesome version of this Craig. Love it

Comment by Donald J.Shockey on August 26, 2009 at 10:05am: Well done.
Brother Don

Comment by Rob White on August 26, 2009 at 9:29am: Craig:
I have commented on many of your videos the past couple years. This one, is absolutely my favorite. No difficult guitar parts, (and I do love that ) but a simplistic beauty. Lately I too have been going back to some old hymns. Something sometimes beckons me back to my childhood and the begining of my walk with God, hymns are like that. This is FANTASTIC! I loved the arrangement and the sincerity of your words and what you shared with us all of your mother and that someday we all will be there (heaven). God Bless You Brother!
Rob

Comment by Chuck Sullivan on August 26, 2009 at 7:26am: dude, i always dig your music...great treatment of that old hymn...can you send me the words and chord chart...i know it's the same as the hymnal version for the most part but a little different. tell jill hello!
peace,
chuck