Scripture Verse

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord. Hosea 6:3

Introduction

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William O. Cushing
1823–1902

Words: Will­iam O. Cush­ing, 1878.

Music: Ro­bert Low­ry, Good as Gold, (New York: Big­low & Main, 1880), page 134 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Robert Lowry
1826–1899

I wrote this hymn in 1878, the Rev. W. O. Cush­ing tells me. Long­ing to give up all for Christ who had giv­en his life for me, I want­ed to be will­ing to lay ev­ery­thing at his feet, with no wish but to do his will, to live hence­forth on­ly for his glory.

Out of this feel­ing came the hymn, ‘Fol­low On.’ It was wri­tten with the pray­er and the hope that some heart might by it be led to give up all for Christ. Much of the pow­er and use­ful­ness of the hymn, how­ev­er, are due to Mr. Low­ry, who put it in­to song.

Sankey, p. 142

Lyrics

Down in the valley with my Savior I would go,
Where the flowers are blooming
And the sweet waters flow;
Everywhere He leads me I would follow, follow on,
Walking in His footsteps till the crown be won.

Refrain

Follow! follow! I would follow Jesus!
Anywhere, everywhere, I would follow on!
Follow! follow! I would follow Jesus!
Everywhere He leads me I would follow on!

Down in the valley with my Savior I would go,
Where the storms are sweeping
And the dark waters flow;
With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear,
Danger cannot fright me if my Lord is near.

Refrain

Down in the valley, or upon the mountain steep,
Close beside my Savior
Would my soul ever keep;
He will lead me safely in the path that He has trod,
Up to where they gather on the hills of God.

Refrain