Hymn Reflection: “Follow Me”

One of the great missionary hymns of all time, “Follow Me” is less than 60 years old, but is one of a most beloved song.  Ira Stanphill, who is probably more well-known as the composer of “Mansion over the Hilltop” (written 4 years prior to “Follow Me”), did what is very hard to do in common church music: he wrote a story-song that continues to be popular.

From a musical standpoint, the song does not follow the usual “verse, chorus, verse, chorus” format. In fact, it has no chorus; instead, it is a three-verse thought from one who has worked for Jesus, then realizes what Jesus went through for him.

Each verse divides into two 3-line sections. For three lines, the singer “boasts” and thinks about what he or she has done in the service of the Lord. One line, for example, states that “The burden on my weary back had bowed me to despair.” After these hard memories, though, the other three lines of each verse are spent remembering what Christ endured for us. My favorite line is “I left the throne of glory and counted it but loss.”

As each verse of the song ends, the singer is reassured of the presence and care of Jesus. We are reminded that, though our suffering in His name are nothing compared to His pain, He still cares and still desires to help us. These conclusions are what give the song is lasting message, to me.

Each time I sing this song, it is an humbling experience. It is so easy to go along with lyrics such as “I’ve sacrificed a lot of things to walk the narrow way.” We can so easily think that we are doing such deep and wonderful things for Christ. And then, we turn to the cross, and realize what Christ did in our behalf.

Here are the lyrics to this grand song:

I traveled down a lonely road and no one seemed to care,
The burden on my weary back had bowed me to despair,
I oft complained to Jesus how folks were treating me,
And then I heard Him so so tenderly,
“My feet were also weary upon the Calv’ry road,
The cross became so heavy I fell beneath the load,
Be faithful weary pilgrim, the morning I can see,
Just lift your cross and follow close to me.”

“I work so hard for Jesus” I often boast and say,
“I’ve sacrificed a lot of things to walk the narrow way,
I gave up fame and fortune; I’m worth a lot to thee,”
And then I heard Him gently say to me,
“I left the throne of glory and counted it but loss,
My hands were nailed in anger upon a cruel cross,
But now we’ll make the journey with your hand safe in mine,
So lift your cross and follow close to me.”

Oh Jesus if I die upon a foreign field someday
‘Twould be no more than love demands, no less could I repay,
“No greater love hath mortal man than for a friend to die,”
These are the words he gently spoke to me,
“If just a cup of water I place within your hand
Then just a cup of water is all that I demand,”
But if by death to living they can thy glory see,
I’ll take my cross and follow close to thee.

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When you sing this song, what are your reflections?