Song Till We Meet Again Lyrics

Representative Text

1 God be with you till we meet again;
loving counsels guide, uphold you,
may the Shepherd's care enfold you;
God be with you till we meet again.

Refrain:
Till we meet, till we meet,
till we meet at Jesus' feet.
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.

2 God be with you till we meet again;
unseen wings, protecting, hide you,
daily manna still provide you;
God be with you till we meet again. [Refrain]

3 God be with you till we meet again;
when life's perils thick confound you,
put unfailing arms around you;
God be with you till we meet again. [Refrain]

4 God be with you till we meet again;
keep love's banner floating o'er you,
smite death's threat'ning wave before you;
God be with you till we meet again. [Refrain]

Source: Voices Together #840

Author: Jeremiah Eames Rankin

Pseudonym: R. E. Jeremy. Rankin, Jeremiah Eames, D.D., was born at Thornton, New Haven, Jan. 2, 1828, and educated at Middleburg College, Vermont, and at Andover. For two years he resided at Potsdam, U.S. Subsequently he held pastoral charges as a Congregational Minister at New York, St. Albans, Charlestown, Washington ( District of Columbia), &c. In 1878 he edited the Gospel Temperance Hymnal, and later the Gospel Bells. His hymns appeared in these collections, and in D. E. Jones's Songs of the New Life, 1869. His best known hymn is "Labouring and heavy laden" (Seeking Christ). This was "written [in 1855] for a sister who was an inquirer," was first printed in the Boston Recorder, and then included in Nason's Congregational Hymn Book,… Go to person page >

Text Information

Text Information
Lectionary Weeks
Scripture References
Languages

First Line:	God be with you till we meet again
Title:	God Be with You Till We Meet Again
Author:	Jeremiah Eames Rankin (1880)
Meter:	9.8.8.9 with refrain
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	Till we meet, till we meet
Copyright:	Public Domain
Liturgical Use:	Benediction

Year A, Christmas season, Holy Name of Jesus (Mary, Mother of God)
Year A, Ordinary Time, Proper 20 (25)
Year B, Christmas season, Holy Name of Jesus (Mary, Mother of God)
Year C, Christmas season, Holy Name of Jesus (Mary, Mother of God)

Notes

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Acts 20:32
st. 3 = Deut. 33:27
st. 4 = Songs of Songs 2:4

Jeremiah E. Rankin (b. Thornton, NH, 1828; d. Cleveland, OH, 1904) says of his hymn text,

It was written as a Christian good-bye; it was called forth by no person or occasion, but was deliberately composed as a Christian hymn on the basis of the etymology of "good-bye," which means "God be with you." The first stanza was sent to two different composers, one of musical note, the other [William G. Tomer] wholly unknown and not thoroughly educated in music. I selected the composition of the latter, and with some slight changes it was published.

The first stanza was published in 1880 with the tune GOD BE WITH YOU by William G. Tomer in Gospel Bells; the 1883 edition of that hymnal included eight stanzas. A popular hymn, "God Be with You" gained currency through the evangelistic crusades of Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey (PHH 73). Modern hymnals usually print only four stanzas.

The text is essentially a parting blessing, a prayer that God will guide you (st. 1), feed you (st. 2), and protect you in life and in death (st. 3-4). Each stanza is framed by the phrase "God be with you till we meet again."

A graduate of Middlebury College, Vermont, and of Andover Theological Seminary, Newton Center, Massachusetts, Rankin served Congregational churches in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey (1855-1889). In 1889 he became president of Howard University, Washington, D.C., a school famous for its many prominent African American graduates. Rankin issued three volumes of poetry and hymn texts (of which "God Be with You" is his most well-known), collaborated in the compilation of hymnals such as The Gospel Temperance Hymnal (1878) and Gospel Bells (1880), and published German-English Lyrics, Sacred and Secular (1897).

Liturgical Use:
Though traditionally used when ministers, missionaries, or others take their leave from a congregation, this hymn is generally useful as a dismissal hymn, as a prayer for blessing, and as a sung benediction.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Timeline

Page Scans

Instances

Instances (1 - 77 of 77)

Ambassador Hymnal #251

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah Eames Rankin, 1828-1904 Meter: Irregular w/refrain Date: 1994 Subject: Closing Hymns | ; Evening hymns | ; Fellowship |

Ancient and Modern #480

Display Title: God be with you till we meet again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah Rankin (1828-1904) Meter: 9 88 9 Scripture: Numbers 6:24; 2 Corinthians 13:14 Date: 2013 Subject: Blessing | ; God | Presence of; God | Protection of; Providence | ; Sending Out |

Celebrating Grace Hymnal #523

Display Title: God Be with You First Line: God be with you till we meet again! Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Meter: 9.8.8.9 Date: 2010 Subject: Assurance | ; Faith and Trust | ; The Church at Worship | Departing; Worship-Departing |

Chalice Hymnal #434

Christian Worship #327

Display Title: God Be with You till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin, 1828-1904 Meter: 98 89 with Refrain Date: 1993 Subject: Close of Service |

Christian Worship #328

Display Title: God Be with You till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin, 1828-1904 Meter: 98 89 Date: 1993 Subject: Close of Service |

Common Praise #440

Display Title: God be with you till we meet again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah Rankin, 1828-1904 Meter: 9 88 9 Scripture: Ruth 2:12; Psalm 91:4; Isaiah 2:4; John 10:27-29; James 1:14-15; 2 John 1:12; 3 John 1:14 Date: 2000

Glory to God #541

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah Eames Rankin Meter: 9.8.8.9 Scripture: Genesis 5:24; Exodus 33:14; Deuteronomy 8:3; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 57:1; Psalm 73:23-24; Psalm 91:4; Psalm 95:7; Song of Solomon 2:4; Isaiah 40:11; Nahum 1:7; John 6:32-35; John 6:48-51; John 6:58; John 10:1-18; Acts 20:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Date: 2013 Subject: Guidance | ; Providence | ; Sending |

Glory to God #542

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah Eames Rankin Meter: 9.8.8.9 Scripture: Genesis 5:24; Exodus 33:14; Deuteronomy 8:3; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 57:1; Psalm 73:23-24; Psalm 91:4; Psalm 95:7; Song of Solomon 2:4; Isaiah 40:11; Nahum 1:7; John 6:33-35; John 6:48-51; John 6:58; John 10:1-18; Acts 20:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Date: 2013 Subject: Guidance | ; Providence | ; Sending |

Hymnal #430

Display Title: God be with you First Line: God be with you till we meet again, loving counsels Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Date: 1992 Source: Gospel Bells, 1880, alt.

Hymnal #431

Display Title: God be with you First Line: God be with you till we meet again, by his counsels Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Date: 1992 Source: Gospel Bells, 1880

Hymns for a Pilgrim People #580

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin, 1828-1904 Meter: 9.8.8.9 Scripture: Ezra 3:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:28 Date: 2007 Subject: Blessing | ; Close of Worship / Sending Forth | ; Prayer / Petition | ; Presence of God | ; Service Music |

Hymns of Faith #555

Display Title: God Be with You First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: [God be with you till we meet again] Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:37; Psalm 91:4; John 10:16; Acts 20:32 Date: 1980

Hymns of the Saints #488

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU (DEUS VOBISCUM) Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin, 1828-1904 Date: 1982 Subject: Benediction | ; Care | ; Christ the Shepherd | ; God the Sustainer | ; Guidance | ; Protection |

Hymns of the Saints #489

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin, 1828-1904 Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:11; 2 Corinthians 13:14 Date: 1982 Subject: Benediction | ; Care | ; Christ the Shepherd | ; God the Sustainer | ; Guidance | ; Protection |

Lead Me, Guide Me (2nd ed.) #545

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin, 1828-1904 Meter: 9 8 8 9 with refrain Scripture: Exodus 16:13-15; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 12:8; Song of Solomon 2:4; Acts 20:32 Date: 2012 Subject: Blessing | ; Comfort | ; Encouragement | ; Going Forth, Sending Forth | ; Guidance | ; Presence of God | ; Providence | ; Refuge, Security | ; Sickness | ; Victory over Sin and Death |

Lift Up Your Hearts #943

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Meter: 9.8.8.9 Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:27; Song of Solomon 2:4; Acts 20:32 Date: 2013 Subject: Elements of Worship | Charge and Blessing; God's | Protection; Responses | To Benediction

Lift Up Your Hearts #944

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Meter: 9.8.9.8 refrain 6.7.6.9 Scripture: Acts 20:32 Date: 2013 Subject: Elements of Worship | Charge and Blessing; God's | Protection

Moravian Book of Worship #824

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Meter: 9.8.8.9. Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:26-29; Ruth 2:12; Psalm 32:7-8; Psalm 91; Isaiah 40:11; Nahum 1:7; Acts 20:32 Date: 1995 Subject: Service Music | ; Service music--Benedictions | ; Worship |

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism #210

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WTIH YOU Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin, 1828-1904 Meter: 9 8 8 9 with refrain Scripture: Exodus 16:13-15; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 12:7; Song of Solomon 2:4; Acts 20:32 Date: 2018 Subject: Service Music | Closing Hymn; The Assembly at Worship | Sending and Blessing

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #316

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah Eames Rankin Meter: 98 89 Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:26-29; Psalm 32:7-8; Acts 20; Acts 20:32 Date: 1987 Subject: Close of Worship | ; Pilgrimage & Conflct | ; Refuge | ; Songs for Children | Hymns

Rejoice Hymns #574

Display Title: God Be With You First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: FAREWELL Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin, 1828-1904 Meter: 9.8.8.9. Date: 2011 Subject: Benediction | ; Church | Fellowship of Believers; God | Presence

Sing Joyfully #583

Display Title: God Be with You First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: [God be with you till we meet again] Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Date: 1989 Subject: God | Providence; Guidance |

Songs of Zion #37

Display Title: God Be with You First Line: God be with you till we meet again; Tune Title: [God be with you till we meet again] Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin, 1828-1904 Date: 1981 Subject: Hymns |

Songs of Zion #237

Display Title: Benediction First Line: God be with you, God be with you Tune Title: [God be with you, God be with you] Author: J. E. Rankin, 1828-1904 Date: 1981 Subject: Service Music | Benedictions

The Book of Praise #621

Display Title: God be with you till we meet again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah Eames Rankin, 1828-1904 Meter: 9 8 8 9 Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 17:8; Psalm 46:1-2; Psalm 57:1; Psalm 61:4; Psalm 89:9; Psalm 91:4; Psalm 107:29; Song of Solomon 5:24; John 6:31-35; John 10:11; John 10:14; Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 2:25 Date: 1997 Subject: Communion of Saints | ; Farewell / Parting | ; God | Shelter / Shield

The Cyber Hymnal #1708

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Meter: 98.89 Source: Gospel Bells, compiled by Rankin, J. W. Bischoff & Otis Presbrey (Chicago, Illinois: The Western Sunday School Publishing Company, 1880)

The New Century Hymnal #81

Display Title: God Be with You First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Meter: 9.8.8.9. with refrain Date: 1995 Subject: Close of Worship | ; Travelers |

The Presbyterian Hymnal #540

The United Methodist Hymnal #672

Display Title: God Be with You till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Meter: 98.89 with Refrain Date: 1989 Subject: Closing Hymns | ; Guidance | ; Particular Times of Worship | Closing of Worship; Service Music | Sending Forth

The United Methodist Hymnal #673

Display Title: God Be with You till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Meter: 98.89 Date: 1989 Subject: Closing Hymns | ; Guidance | ; Particular Times of Worship | Closing of Worship; Providence | ; Service Music | Sending Forth

The Worshiping Church #839

Display Title: God Be with You First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Meter: Irregular Scripture: Exodus 16:15; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 91:4; Acts 20:32 Date: 1990

The Worshiping Church #840

Display Title: God Be with You First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Meter: Irregular Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 91:4; Acts 20:32 Date: 1990

This Far By Faith #157

Timeless Truths #112

Display Title: God Be with You till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Meter: 9.8.8.9 R Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:2 Source: Faith Publishing House, Evening Light Songs, 1949, edited 1987 (351); The Gospel Trumpet Company, Select Hymns, 1911 (509); Timeless Truths (http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/God_Be_with_You_till_We_Meet_Again)

Total Praise #627

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin, 1828-1904 Meter: 9 8 8 9 with refrain Scripture: Psalm 12:7 Date: 2011 Subject: Benediction | ; Burdens | ; Closing Hymns | ; Commitment and Submission | ; Jesus Christ | His Love and Mercy; Love for Others | ; Security |

Trinity Hymnal (Rev. ed.) #385

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah Eames Rankin Meter: Irreg. Scripture: Acts 20:32 Date: 1990 Subject: Farewell Service | ; The Church | The Close of Worship

Trinity Hymnal (Rev. ed.) #386

Trinity Psalter Hymnal #207

Display Title: God Be with You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Meter: 9.8.9.8. Scripture: Genesis 31:49; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 57:1; Song of Solomon 2:4; Isaiah 40:11; Acts 20:32 Date: 2018 Subject: Christian Friendship | ; Church | As Communion of Saints; Close of Worship | ; Farewell Service | ; Pilgrimage and Guidance | ; Suffering and Deliverance |

Voices Together #840

Display Title: God Be With You Till We Meet Again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Meter: 9.8.8.9 with refrain Scripture: Exodus 16; Psalm 23; Psalm 91; Isaiah 40:11 Date: 2020 Subject: Assurance of Grace | ; Death and Eternal Life | ; God | Images and Names of; God | Presence of; Heaven | Source: Gospel Bells, 1880, alt.

Voices United #422

Voices United #423

Wonder, Love, and Praise #801

Display Title: God be with you till we meet again First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: RANDOLPH Author: Jeremiah Eames Rankin (1828-1904); John L. Hooker (b. 1944) Meter: 98.89 Scripture: Exodus 16:4-36; Psalm 63:7; Jeremiah 23:3 Date: 1997 Subject: Hymns and Spiritual Songs | The Christian Life

Worship and Rejoice #716

Display Title: God Be with You First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: GOD BE WITH YOU Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin, 1828-1904 Meter: 9.8.9.8. Scripture: Exodus 16:15; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 73:24; Psalm 91:4; Acts 20:32 Date: 2003 Subject: Service Music | Benediction

Worship in Song #332

Display Title: God Be With You First Line: God be with you till we meet again Tune Title: FAREWELL Author: Jeremiah E. Rankin Meter: 9.8.8.9. with refrain Date: 1996 Subject: Benediction | ; Care for one another | ; God's Care | ; Love | ; Manna | ; Parting | Source: Gospel Bells, 1880, alt.

Yes, Lord! #86

찬송과 예배 = Chansong gwa yebae = Come, Let Us Worship #347

Include 1001 pre-1979 instances

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Source: https://hymnary.org/text/god_be_with_you_till_we_meet_again