Scripture Verse

Now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as he is. 1 John 3:2

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: Ro­bert L. Pow­ell, in Gos­pel Songs No. 2, ed­it­ed by Aus­tin Tay­lor & George H. P. Sho­wal­ter (Aus­tin, Tex­as: Firm Foun­da­tion Pub­lish­ing, 1919), alt. (🔊 pdf nwc). Note: The me­lo­dy shifts to the ten­ors in some parts of last stan­za; see score for de­tails.

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Pow­ell (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

When the Sav­ior comes for His chos­en ones,
We’ll be like Him, we’ll be like Him;
With the bright day­break when the dead awake;
We’ll be like Him when He comes.

Refrain

We’ll be like Him, sing the glad re­frain;
We’ll be like Him when He comes again;
Blessèd thought to me that His face I’ll see,
And be like Him when He comes.

Let the mes­sage rain up­on hill and plain,
We’ll be like Him, we’ll be like Him;
Send it far and wide on the Gos­pel tide;
We’ll be like Him when He comes.

Refrain

He’s the One we love, He’s the one we prove,
We’ll be like Him, we’ll be like Him;
He’s the One who cheers thro’ the wea­ry years;
We’ll be like Him when He comes.

Refrain

Tho’ He tar­ry long, this will be our song,
We’ll be like our king when He comes again;
Tho’ the path be dim we will cling to Him;
We’ll be like Him when He comes.

We’ll be like our king, sing the glad re­frain;
We’ll be like our king when He comes again;
Blessèd thought to me that His face I’ll see,
And be like Him when He comes.