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I Cannot Be Idle

Author: William J. Henry Meter: 11.8.11.8 with refrain Appears in 10 hymnals First Line: I cannot be idle, for Jesus says, Go Refrain First Line: Then away to the work I will go

[I cannot be idle, for Jesus says, "Go"]

Meter: 11.8.11.8 with refrain Appears in 10 hymnals Composer and/or Arranger: William J. Henry; Andrew L. Byers Tune Sources: Timeless Truths (http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/I_Cannot_Be_Idle); The Gospel Trumpet Company, Hymnal of the Church of God, 1953 (211); Faith Publishing House, Evening Light Songs, 1949, edited 1987 (311); The Gospel Trumpet Company Tune Key: G Major Incipit: 51233 21216 55123 Used With Text: I Cannot Be Idle

Instances

Published text-tune combinations (hymns) from specific hymnals

I Cannot Be Idle

Author: W. J. H. Hymnal: Timeless Truths #522 Meter: 11.8.11.8 with refrain First Line: I cannot be idle, for Jesus says, "Go Refrain First Line: Then away to the work I will go Lyrics: 1 I cannot be idle, for Jesus says, “Go And work in My harvest today; And then at the evening, when labor is done, Whatever is right I will pay.” Refrain: Then away to the work I will go, And join in the reaping of grain, And back from the harvest with beautiful sheaves, I’ll come with rejoicing again. 2 I cannot be idle, the fields are so white, And numberless sheaves will be lost; They perish for want of more reapers to save, How awful to think of the cost! [Refrain] 3 I cannot be idle, soon time will be o’er, And reaping be ended for aye; I’ll gather the lost from the byways of sin To walk in the beautiful way. [Refrain] 4 I cannot be idle, no time for repose, My resting shall be over there, Where all of the faithful in heaven above A crown of bright glory shall wear. [Refrain] Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16 Tune Title: [I cannot be idle, for Jesus says, "Go"]

I Cannot Be Idle

Author: W. J. Henry Hymnal: Select Hymns #36 (1911) First Line: I cannot be idle, for Jesus says, "Go Refrain First Line: Then away to the work I will go Tune Title: [I cannot be idle, for Jesus says, "Go]

I Cannot Be Idle

Author: W. J. Henry Hymnal: Truth in Song #36 (1907) First Line: I cannot be idle, for Jesus says, "Go Refrain First Line: Then away to the work I will go Topics: Work Languages: English Tune Title: [I cannot be idle, for Jesus says, "Go]

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People

Authors, composers, editors, etc.

William J. Henry

1867 - 1955 Author of "I Cannot Be Idle" in Hymnal of the Church of God Originally from Ohio, Henry was an early leader in the Holiness Movement near Boyertown, Pennsylvania. In 1889 he, answered a call to hold revival meetings in eastern Pennsylvania. Denominational leaders had received requests from congregations there, but had no one to send. Though Henry was only 22 years old, he proved a very effective organizer. He toured eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey for several months each year till 1895. He became a very active evangelist and song writer, holding meetings in every American state and in Britain. --www.hymntime.com/tch ================== The song, “I Cannot Be Idle,” was written by William J. Henry, in 1897. He got saved from his sins at the age of 20 (in 1882), and he wrote this song at the age of 35 years old. He got saved at an evangelistic meeting, took his stand with the church of God, and he was called to the ministry nine years later, in 1891. Two years later (at the age of 31 years old), he made his first trip to spread the gospel overseas. A small congregation in Liverpool, England, was started through his laboring. Henry could not be idle! Later, he started a congregation in Springfield, Missouri, where he pastored for 13 years. He wrote more than 300 songs. At the age of 73 years old, Henry and his wife wrote: “To God be all the glory! This has been the busiest and happiest time of our lives. We are both enjoying the best of health and are decided to do more for [God] in the future.” He died 20 years later. --www.churchofgodfca.com/

A. L. Byers

1869 - 1952 Person Name: Andrew L. Byers Harmonizer of "[I cannot be idle, for Jesus says, "Go"]" in Timeless Truths Andrew Linnaeus Byers was born on August 26, 1869 in Albany, Illinois. Byers’ mother was song writer Nancy Byers. In 1890 he became involved with Daniel Warner & Barney Warren in evangelistic work; later joined the Gospel Trumpet publishing company as music editor for a year. He left that work because of health problems and worked as an evangelist and pastor in Idaho & Oregon before taking a pastorate in Sacramento, California, in 1934. He died on November 9, 1952 in Sacramento, California. His works include: Birth of a Reformation: The Life and Labors of D. S. Warner, 1922 NN, Hymnary.