The Cyber Hymnal ‎#4388

4388. Must I Go, and Empty Handed?

1. Must I go, and empty handed,
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?

Refrain
Must I go, and empty handed?
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him,
Must I empty handed go?

2. Not at death I shrink or falter,
For my Savior saves me now;
But to meet Him empty handed,
Thought of that now clouds my brow. [Refrain]

3. O the years in sinning wasted,
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Savior,
To His will I’d gladly bow. [Refrain]

4. O ye saints, arouse, be earnest,
Up and work while yet ’tis day;
Ere the night of death o’ertake thee,
Strive for souls while still you may. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: Must I go, and empty handed
• Title: Must I Go, and Empty Handed?
• Author: Charles C. Luther (1877)
• Refrain First Line: Must I go, and empty handed?
• Language: English
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Luther heard Rev. A. G. Upham tell the story of a young man who was about to die. He'd only been a Christian for a month, and was sad because he'd had so little time to serve the Lord. He said, I am not afraid to die; Jesus saves me now. But must I go empty handed? This incident prompted the writing of the song; Stebbins wrote the music when Luther gave him the words. The complete song was first published in Gospel Hymns No. 3, 1878.

Tune Information

• Name: [Must I go, and empty handed]
• Composer: George C. Stebbins
• Incipit: 55543 16534 44325
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: Public Domain