God Never Forgets His Own: "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder"

Traveler’s Tales · Jul 9, 2026 · 6m · transcript

Traveler's Tales explores the true story behind the famous hymn "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder." The account begins with what seemed like a chance encounter in a Williamsport, Pennsylvania, alley in 1893. Youth pastor James M. Black met a poor girl named Bessie, whose brief life and faithfulness inspired a song that has comforted Christians for over a century.

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Hymn History: When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder

1. When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,

And the morning…