The Great Judgment Morning

By Bert Shadduck

Lyrics

1. I dream'd that the great judgment morning
Had dawn'd, and the trumpet had blown;
I dream'd that the nations had gathered
To judgment before the white throne.
From the throne came a bright shining angel
And stood on the land and the sea,
And swore with his hand rais'd to heaven,
That time was no longer to be.

Chorus:
And O, what a weeping and wailing,
As the lost were told of their fate;
They cried for the rocks and the mountains,
They pray'd, but their pray'r was too late.

2. The rich man was there, but his money
Had melted and vanished away;
A pauper he stood in the judgment,
His debts were too heavy to pay.
The great man was there, but his greatness
When death came was left far behind;
The angel that opened the records,
Not a trace of his greatness could find.

3. The widow was there and the orphans,
God heard and remembered their cries;
No sorrow in heaven forever,
God wiped all the tears from their eyes.
The gambler was there and the drunkard,
And the man who had sold them the drink,
With people who gave him the license--
Together in hell they did sink.

4. The moral man came to judgment,
But self-righteous rags would not do;
The men who had crucified Jesus
Had passed off as moral men too.
The souls that had put off salvation--
"Not to-night; I'll get saved by and by;
No time now to think of religion!"
At last they had found time to die.

Bible Reference

Revelation 20:12

About This Hymn

“The Great Judgment Morning,” written by evangelist Bert Shadduck in 1894, is one of the most solemn gospel hymns of the late nineteenth century. It vividly portrays the final judgment described in Revelation 20, when all humanity will stand before God. Each verse unfolds scenes of people from every walk of life, including rulers, rich men, and the poor, standing equally before the Judge of all the earth. The hymn’s refrain, “And the great man was there, but his greatness was o’er, yes, the great man was there, but his greatness was o’er,” highlights the truth that earthly status, wealth, or reputation cannot secure salvation.

The hymn became widely known in revival meetings, camp gatherings, and evangelistic services because of its powerful imagery and earnest warning. It was used not only as a song of worship but also as a tool for evangelism, urging sinners to consider eternity and prepare to meet God. Its language is direct, sometimes unsettling, but always filled with urgency, making it effective in awakening the conscience and pointing listeners to Christ as the only refuge in the day of judgment.

Shadduck’s hymn belongs to a tradition of gospel songs that address eternal realities with clarity and passion. Though it is not as frequently sung in modern services, “The Great Judgment Morning” remains a significant piece of gospel hymnody, reminding Christians of the seriousness of eternity and the necessity of faith in Christ. Its message continues to challenge believers and nonbelievers alike: that every soul will one day give an account before God, and only those in Christ will stand justified.