"Tell Mother I’ll Be There"

Charles M. Fillmore wrote the words to “Tell Mother I’ll Be There” upon learning of American President William McKinley’s mother’s death.  A famous Christian pianist arranged the melody for this hymn.  McKinley and his mother had been very close.  In fact, they were so close that since she lived some distance from Washington her son had a special telegraph line installed between her house and Washington.  The story goes that people wired him when she fell ill and was about to die, and he wired back, “Tell Mother I’ll be there!”  

While Charles M. Fillmore also wrote the melody to “Tell Mother I’ll Be There,” the famous Christian pianist, Robert Harkness arranged it.  Harkness was evangelist Charles M. Alexander’s pianist.  After attending his first revival meeting led by Alexander and Ruben Torrey, he was converted to Christ, and then toured the world with them playing piano.  He wrote correspondence courses in hymn playing, but is most noted for his program “The Music of the Cross.” 

“Tell Mother I’ll Be There”

When I was but a little child how well I recollect

How I would grieve my mother with my folly and neglect;

And now that she has gone to Heav’n I miss her tender care:

O Savior, tell my mother, I’ll be there!

Refrain

Tell mother I’ll be there, in answer to her prayer;

This message, blessèd Savior, to her bear!

Tell mother I’ll be there, Heav’n’s joys with her to share;

Yes, tell my darling mother I’ll be there.

Though I was often wayward, she was always kind and good;

So patient, gentle, loving when I acted rough and rude;

My childhood griefs and trials she would gladly with me share:

O Savior, tell my mother, I’ll be there!

Refrain

When I became a prodigal, and left the old rooftree,

She almost broke her loving heart in mourning after me;

And day and night she prayed to God to keep me in His care:

O Savior, tell my mother, I’ll be there!

Refrain

One day a message came to me, it bade me quickly come

If I would see my mother ere the Savior took her home;

I promised her, before she died, for Heaven to prepare:

O Savior, tell my mother, I’ll be there!

Refrain

According to Evangelist Charles M. Alexander, this song, “Tell Mother I’ll Be There,” has been more instrumental in converting men than any other song written in its time.  He tells of over one hundred and sixty men coming to know Christ in a meeting in Liverpool when this song was sung.

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