I Cannot Be Idle

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I cannot be idle, for Jesus says, Go

Author: William J. Henry (1897)
Tune: [I cannot be idle, for Jesus says, "Go"]
Published in 10 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 I cannot be idle, for Jesus says, "Go
And work in My harvest today;
And then at the evening when labor is done,
Whatever is right I will pay."

Refrain:
Then away to the work I will go
And join in the reaping of grain,
And back from the harvest with beautiful sheaves
I’ll come with rejoicing again.

2 I cannot be idle, the fields are so white,
And numberless sheaves will be lost;
They perish for want of more reapers to save—
How awful to think of the cost! [Refrain]

3 I cannot be idle, soon time will be o’er,
And reaping be ended for aye;
I’ll gather the lost from the byways of sin
To walk in the beautiful way. [Refrain]

4 I cannot be idle, no time for repose,
My resting shall be over there,
Where all of the faithful in Heaven above
A crown of bright glory shall wear. [Refrain]

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #10530

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Author: William J. Henry

Originally from Ohio, Henry was an early leader in the Holiness Movement near Boyertown, Pennsylvania. In 1889 he, answered a call to hold revival meetings in eastern Pennsylvania. Denominational leaders had received requests from congregations there, but had no one to send. Though Henry was only 22 years old, he proved a very effective organizer. He toured eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey for several months each year till 1895. He became a very active evangelist and song writer, holding meetings in every American state and in Britain. --www.hymntime.com/tch… Go to person page >

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First Line:	I cannot be idle, for Jesus says, Go
Title:	I Cannot Be Idle
Author:	William J. Henry (1897)
Meter:	11.8.11.8 with refrain
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	Then away to the work I will go
Copyright:	Public Domain