O That Will Be Glory for Me

Author & Composer – Charles H. Gabriel, 1856–1932
Meter – 10.10.10.10 with Chorus
Scripture Reference – Revelation 21:4
Key Verse – And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. – Revelation 21:4

Charles H. Gabriel stands as one of the most influential and prolific gospel songwriters in American hymnody, particularly during the early twentieth century. Born on August 18, 1856, in a modest prairie shanty in Wilton, Iowa, Gabriel grew up surrounded by music. In the close-knit community of settlers, musical gatherings were often held in the Gabriel home, with his father frequently leading the singing. From a young age, Charles displayed an unusual gift for music and an earnest passion for composing. On one occasion, he expressed to his mother his ambition to write a song that would become widely known. Her thoughtful reply was, “My boy, I would rather have you write a song that will help somebody than see you President of the United States.” That simple encouragement left a lasting impression. By the age of 17, Gabriel was already teaching singing schools in neighboring communities—despite never having received any formal musical training. During these early years, he wrote and sold many songs, often for as little as $2.50 apiece.

Over the course of his remarkable career, Gabriel edited or compiled an astounding array of musical works: thirty-five gospel songbooks, eight Sunday School collections, seven books for male voices, six for female voices, ten children’s songbooks, nineteen anthem compilations, twenty-three choir cantatas, forty-one Christmas cantatas, and ten cantatas for children, along with various books on music instruction. From 1912 until his death in 1932, he worked closely with the Homer Rodeheaver Publishing Company. His collaboration with Rodeheaver, particularly in support of the famed evangelist Billy Sunday’s nationwide crusades, helped solidify his reputation as a composer of powerful and spiritually uplifting songs. Gabriel was known for writing both lyrics and music, often using the pseudonym “Charlotte G. Homer” for some of his texts.

The beloved hymn “O That Will Be Glory” first appeared in Make His Praise Glorious, a 1900 collection compiled by E. O. Excell, another notable figure in gospel music. The inspiration for this triumphant hymn came from Gabriel’s close friend Ed Card, the spirited Superintendent of the Sunshine Rescue Mission in St. Louis, Missouri. Card was known for his joyful demeanor and contagious love for Christ. He often exclaimed “Glory!” during his prayers and sermons—a habit that earned him the nickname “Old Glory Face.” He frequently concluded his prayers with a heartfelt reference to heaven, often saying, “and that will be glory for me!” Touched by this radiant faith, Gabriel crafted a hymn that captured the longing and hope of every believer looking toward the joy of eternal fellowship with Christ. Remarkably, it’s said that Ed Card had the blessing of singing this very hymn shortly before his death, with the joy of knowing that his walk with the Lord had inspired its creation.

The hymn “O That Will Be Glory” went on to achieve global impact, being translated into numerous languages and dialects, with an estimated publication of over 100 million copies—a staggering testament to its enduring appeal and spiritual power.

Among Gabriel’s many enduring contributions to gospel music are other favorites such as “Higher Ground,” “More Like the Master,” “Send the Light,” “My Savior’s Love,” “O It Is Wonderful,” and “He Lifted Me.” The latter, written and composed in 1905, offers a beautiful testimony of God’s grace and redeeming love:

In loving kindness Jesus came,
My soul in mercy to reclaim,
And from the depths of sin and shame,
Through grace He lifted me.

He called me long before I heard,
Before my sinful heart was stirred,
But when I took Him at His word,
Forgiv’n He lifted me.

His brow was pierced with many a thorn,
His hands by cruel nails were torn,
When from my guilt and grief, forlorn,
In love He lifted me.

Now on a higher plane I dwell,
And with my soul I know ’tis well;
Yet how or why, I cannot tell,
He should have lifted me.

From sinking sand He lifted me,
With tender hand He lifted me,
From shades of night to plains of light,
O praise His name, He lifted me!

This hymn, like so many of Gabriel’s works, reflects a heart full of gratitude, a keen sense of theological depth, and a remarkable ability to connect truth with melody. Though Charles H. Gabriel passed away in 1932, his legacy lives on in the voices of congregations and choirs around the world, continually lifting hearts heavenward through song.