The Cyber Hymnal ‎#12631

12631. You May Tell My Dear Old Parents

1 If you reach the gates before me
To the land of endless day,
To that home that is forever bright and fair,
When my father and my mother
Ask you if I’m on the way,
You may tell my dear old parents I’ll be there.

Refrain:
You may tell them I’ll be there,
That the Lord has heard
And answered every prayer;
Yes, be sure to give this message
When they meet you at the gate;
You may tell my dear old parents I’ll be there.

2 Thro’ my mind there steals a picture
Of a fireside warm and bright,
I can see my mother in her old armchair;
I can hear my father praying
That I might be led aright,
And reach home at last in answer to his prayer. [Refrain]

3 Then my home was almost heaven,
Tho’ but humble at its best,
But to me it was most beautiful and fair;
O what will it be in Heaven,
In those mansions of the blest,
When with father and with mother I’ll be there. [Refrain]

4 Then no matter what the journey,
Tho’ the way be dark or bright,
I will push ahead with hope, and not despair;
For I soon will join my loved ones
In that land of love and light,
Then be sure to tell my parents I’ll be there. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: If you reach the gates before me
• Title: You May Tell My Dear Old Parents
• Author: Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1904)
• Refrain First Line: You may tell them I’ll be there
• Language: English
• Source: Lasting Hymns No. 2 by John A. Lee (Glencoe, KY: John A. Lee, 1906)
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: [If you reach the gates before me]
• Composer: Rufus Henry Cornelius
• Key: F Major or modal
• Copyright: Public Domain