"Keep on Watching"

The famous and beloved Miss Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) wrote the Gospel song “Keep on Watching” in 1901.  Blinded as a newborn, Fanny Crosby is said to have written over 8,000 hymns in her lifetime.  Because of the volume, many publishers took to using aliases for her so that their hymnals would not seem like Fanny Crosby wrote every song. At present, there are over 100 aliases attributed to her.  A very well loved lady, she never allowed her handicap to stand in the way of her evangelism.  In fact, she is said to have embraced it as a gift from God by telling a preacher once, “the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!”  And so, evangelical hymns, such as “Keep On Watching” show us a glimpse of Fanny Crosby’s true nature.

Victor Benke, whom Fanny called “one of my best friends” wrote the melody for the Gospel song “Keep on Watching.”  Benke was an organist at Bower Mission church and assisted her with several hymns.

“Keep on Watching”

On the hilltops, on the mountains,
There are gleams of golden light,
For the promised morn is dawning,
And its star is growing bright.

Refrain

Keep on watching, O ye faithful,
For the time is drawing nigh—
We shall see the King of glory
With His angels, by and by.

O the promised morn is dawning,
When the ransomed of the King
Shall return and come to Zion,
And His praise forever sing.

Refrain

Hallelujah! what a moment,
When the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the trumpet of the ages
Sound in triumph from the skies!

Refrain

Keep on watching, be not weary,
For the Lord will surely come;
He has said, and we believe it,
He will take His people home.

Refrain

In her Memories of Eighty Years, Fanny Crosby tells many stories about those whom she led to Christ.  Gospel songs like “Keep on Watching” moved people.  Many of her hymns were, and still are, used for the alter call portion of the worship service.

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