Tell Mother I’ll Be There
William McKinley was president of the United States during the Spanish American War and led the nation out of an economic depression into a season of prosperity. Still, he is little remembered, except for the tragic fact that early in his second term he was assassinated by an anarchist and was then succeeded by his very colorful vice president, Theodore Roosevelt.
McKinley was a devout Christian. He was raised by a devoted mother who lovingly endeavored to pass along her faith to all nine of her children. She had a special hope that one day her seventh child, William, would be a Methodist bishop. When McKinley was elected president, she reportedly responded to the news, “Well, that’s all right too.”
McKinley returned his mother’s devotion. Before the advent of the telephone, during his time in the White House, McKinley either wrote his mother a letter or sent her a telegram every day.
In early December 1897, news reached the president that his mother was desperately ill. He had better come at once if he hoped to see her before she died. He immediately sent a message by telegram, “Tell mother I’ll be there.” McKinley took a swift train from Washington D.C. to his home in Canton, Ohio, arriving in time to be at his mother’s bedside and hold her hand as she passed into heaven.
A newspaper account of the president’s final telegram to his mother inspired a man named Charles Filmore to pen a poem and then set it music. Sacred songs about home life and motherhood such as My Mother’s Bible, and Where’s My Wandering Boy were popular at the time. Occasionally pieces like this were employed in evangelistic campaigns to touch the hearts of the wayward, awakening memories of a loving, godly family. Filmore thought his composition might be another such song. That hope was realized when Charles M. Alexander, the song leader for Evangelist R. A. Torrey, employed Filmore’s song in revival meetings. Alexander wanted a new song that could be sung as an invitation hymn following Torrey’s gospel preaching. When it was first introduced in a large Sunday afternoon service held specifically for railway workers, the response was dramatic. The tender musical reminder of a loving Christian mother coupled with a pointed Bible message stirred hundreds of trainmen to seek God’s gift of everlasting life through faith in Christ.
Once, rather than employing Filmore’s song at the conclusion of the service, Alexander sang it as a solo prior to the sermon. Before the evangelist could begin preaching, men began to “walk the sawdust trail,” desiring to decide for Christ. The teaching, testimony, and prayers of a Christian mother had done the groundwork. For many in whose youth the seed of the gospel had already been planted and watered, the message of the song called men to embrace their mother’s faith.
Charles Alexander said that, Tell Mother I’ll Be There, was used by God in his ministry to bring more men to trust in Christ than any other piece of music.
While there were several verses to the song, the first and final ones, along with the refrain, powerfully convey the message and sentiment.
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!
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!
Tell Mother I’ll be there, in answer to her prayer;
This message, blessed 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.
David A. Oliver is the pastor of Ashley Baptist Church in Belding, MI.
Photo by cottonbro studio