The Summons (Will You Come and Follow Me)

This hymn is about the call to discipleship.

It was written by Scottish hymnwriter and Church of Scotland minister  John L Bell (b 1949) and youth minister, liturgist, writer, artist, musician Graham Maule (1958-2019), who are/were both members of the Iona Community.  It was first published in 1987.

With meter 13.13.7.7.13, it is set to a traditional Scottish tune KELVINGROVE, composer unknown.

Image from Pixabay License: CC0 Public Domain

Downloads

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Arranged by Gary Daigle: 4-Part Choir and accompaniment

Leadsheet, arranged by John Bell and Graham Maule

Examples

Solo singer with folk-style backing

Contemporary arrangement

Church choir with mini-orchestra accompaniment and congregation

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website.

The song has five verses, each of which is five lines long.  A rough outline is:

1  Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? ...

2  Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name? ...

3  Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name? ...

4  Will you love the ‘you’ you hide if I but call your name? ...

5  Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name ...

See more ...

• Hymns about discipleship
• Folk-style hymns

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In Your company I'll go where Your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.