He'll Understand and Say Well Done

Representative Text

1 If when you give the best of your service,
Telling the world that the Savior is come;
Be not dismayed when men don't believe you;
He'll understand; and say, "Well done."

Refrain:
Oh, when I come to the end of my journey,
Weary of life and the battle is won;
Carrying the staff and the cross of redemption,
He'll understand and say, "Well done."

2 Misunderstood, the Savior of sinners,
Hung on the cross; He was God's only Son;
Oh! hear Him call His Father in Heav'n,
"Not my will, but Thine be done." [Refrain]

3 If when this life of labor is ended,
And the reward of the race you have run;
Oh! the sweet rest prepared for faithful
Will be His blest and final, "Well done." [Refrain]

4 But if you try and fail in your trying,
Hands sore and scarred from the work you've begun;
Take up your cross, run quickly to meet Him;
He'll understand; and say, "Well done." [Refrain]

Source: One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: an African American ecumenical hymnal #489

Author: Lucie Eddie Campbell

Lucie Eddie Campbell, April 30, 1885–January 3, 1963, one of nine children born to parents who were slaves in Mississippi. She moved to Memphis with her mother after her father died when she was two years old. Became first Music Director of newly formed Education arm for the new National Baptist Convention formed in 1916 in Memphis. In 1919 at a NBC convention in Atlantic City, Campbell introduced a young, blind singer, Connie Rosemond, who electrified the delegates with his rendition of Campbell’s first gospel hymn, “Something Within.” Campbell met Rosemond on the famous Beale St in Memphis. She heard a man betting $10 that he could make the blind youngster “get down in the alley” an expression for singing the blues. Th… Go to person page >

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 17 of 17)
Text

African American Heritage Hymnal #413

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African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #487

Church Gospel Songs and Hymns #592

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Hymns of Faith #521

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Lead Me, Guide Me (2nd ed.) #785

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Lift Every Voice and Sing II #190

New Songs of Inspiration (vol. one) #32

Text

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism #489

Sacred Selections for the Church #469

Sacred Songs of the Church #545

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Songs of Zion #178

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The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal #557

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The New National Baptist Hymnal (21st Century Edition) #466

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This Far By Faith #172

Text

Total Praise #423

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Yes, Lord! #120

Text

Zion still Sings #138

Include 42 pre-1979 instances
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