O Child of God – Hymnicity

This is an adaptation of the beloved folk song “Danny Boy.” The original song is widely understood to refer to a soldier who is going off to war and certain death, and the idea has been reimagined through the lens of union with Jesus and confidence in the face of death that we will be with him.

The original lyrics (1913)

Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The summer’s gone, and all the roses falling,
It’s you, it’s you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow,
Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow,
It’s I’ll be here in sunshine or in shadow,—
Oh, Danny boy, Oh Danny boy, I love you so!

But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
Ye’ll come and find the place where I am lying,
And kneel and say an Avé there for me.
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!

Lyrics

Verse 1:
O child of God, your Savior now is calling
From valley low to mountain height above;
Your days are done and life is swiftly falling,
Now you must join your long-awaited love.
Oh do not fear, but listen to his promise
So sweetly made and proved by blood and tomb-
His light will shine through terror and through darkness,
His hand shall bear you up and take you to His home.

Verse 2:
O child of God, when sun and moon are dying
Your Lord will come and ev'ry eye shall see.
Then He will find where your old body's lying
And with a word reveal what you shall be.
You shall arise with countless saints to glory
To circle round His radiant, em'rald throne;
Your life, your song, your everlasting story-
"My savior came for me, in love, to take me home!"

CCLI Song #7297160