When I Wake Up In Glory

This is a gospel song which expresses Christian hope of eternal life.

The text is based on a poem by Julian Alford (detailed not yet located). This was set to music by African-American Methodist, gospel songwriter, arranged and choral director, Edward C Deas (1884-1944) and first released in 1919. (Ref: Mahalia Jackson and the Black Gospel Field - Mark Burford - preview, or available from Amazon).

While the the earliest located recording (so far) on YouTube is from the 1950s, The song as been performed and/ or recorded by many artists, all variations in the lyrics and tune. This may be why no sources of sheet music have been located so far.

Downloads

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PowerPoint slides

Examples

Choir with rhythm band

Family group with band, professional recording from the 1950s

Trio with band, rehearsal video

Lyrics

1 I shall go some sweet day,
And from earth shall pass away,
And my soul shall reach a better land.
Oh my soul shall be free,
And the Host shall reveal,
And the King Eternal shall understand.

Chorus:
When I wake up, when I wake up in glory,
And to Jesus I'll sing redemption story.
Oh, I shall see Him, blessed be,
He who has bought me to be free.
When I wake up,
In glory by and by.

When my weary eyelids close,
And I've sunk to sweet repose,
Singing Hallelujah, as I go;
All my sorrows will be past,
I'll be free from sin at last,
And I'll leave all my troubles here below.