I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
"Take thy cross and follow, follow Me."
Refrain:
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
I'll go with Him, with Him all the way.
2. I'll go with Him through the garden,
I'll go with Him through the garden,
I'll go with Him through the garden,
I'll go with Him, with Him all the way. [Refrain]
3. I'll go with Him through the judgment,
I'll go with Him through the judgment,
I'll go with Him through the judgment,
I'll go with Him, with Him all the way. [Refrain]
4. He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
And go with me, with me all the way. [Refrain]
The hymn "I Can Hear My Savior Calling"—also known by its refrain "Where He Leads Me I Will Follow"—was written by Ernest W. Blandy in 1890. It is a deeply personal and devotional hymn that speaks to the theme of discipleship, focusing on the believer’s willingness to follow Jesus wherever He leads, even through trials and sacrifice.
Story Behind the Hymn
Ernest William Blandy was a Salvation Army officer in the late 19th century. According to traditional accounts, he wrote the hymn while serving at a mission station in New York City. The area where he ministered was known for being especially rough and dangerous—a neighborhood marked by poverty, addiction, and crime. In the face of such hardship, Blandy remained committed to his calling and the people he served.
It’s said that while working in this difficult environment, Blandy reflected on the cost of discipleship, which inspired the hymn. The words express a personal commitment to follow Christ, no matter the cost:
“I can hear my Savior calling…
Take thy cross and follow, follow Me.”
The refrain, “Where He leads me I will follow,” echoes Jesus' own words in the Gospels (e.g., Luke 9:23), where He tells His followers to take up their cross daily. The hymn became a staple in revival meetings and Christian gatherings that emphasized personal surrender, obedience, and missionary service.
Musical Background
The tune most commonly associated with the hymn was composed by John S. Norris, a church musician and composer who set Blandy’s words to music around the same time. Its slow, steady tempo and simple melody make it suitable for altar calls and times of reflection.
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