The Healing Journey

January 23, 2025

“Till we meet, till we meet, till we meet at Jesus’ feet, God be with you till we meet again”

Do you realize that when you say, “Goodbye,” you are actually saying, “God be with you”? The word is a shortened derivation from that commonly used Christian phrase.

One of the most recognized hymns is “God Be With You Till We Meet Again,” by Jeremiah Rankin, a minister at the First Congregational Church in Washington D.C. It has appeared in more than 900 hymnals. He composed the song, which is frequently heard at memorial services and funerals, so that his church choir could sing it when they parted after each rehearsal. In addition, it became a common closing hymn at camp revivals and conferences.

Rankin conceived the first stanza of the hymn after seeing the etymology of “goodbye” in the dictionary. The song, which he wrote in 1882, used music composed by William Tomer, the music director at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church.

During the First World War, postcards were printed with the lyrics of hymns, to comfort soldiers far from home, and one featured a picture of soldiers going into battle with the final verse of the hymn.

Hear Elton Luz and his 9-year-old son sing “God Be With You,”
(https://youtu.be/OFQfQFDBXWA?si=y5VJASKE9Tdl8QsX)

God Be With You Till We Meet Again

God be with you till we meet again;
loving counsels guide, uphold you,
with a shepherd’s care enfold you:
God be with you till we meet again.

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.

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.

“God be with you till we meet again;
keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
smite death’s threatening wave before you;
God be with you till we meet again.