God Be WIth You Til We Meet Again - Ed Whal, Layne Sanden, Michael Crane

“God Be With You Till We Meet Again”, was written in 1882 by two American clergymen. The lyrics were by Reverend Jeremiah Rankin, who was the minister for the First Congregational Church in Washington, D.C, and the music was composed by William Tomer, who was the music director at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church.

This hymn has been sung by Ella Fitzgerald, Kate Smith, Jim Reeves, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and in this beautiful, soft and unassuming rendition by vocalists Ed Whal and Layne Sanden accompanied by the concert pianist, Dr. Michael Crane at MCC United Church of Christ in the Valley.

The lyrics of this song have been printed on postcards and banners during times of war to comfort and sustain the hearts of soldiers and their loved ones.

It is fitting--a very good thing--to sing this song to a person who is nearing his or her last breath, or to someone who is moving far away, with uncertainty in the air as to whether you and others who love them shall ever see them in this life again.

It is a profound comfort for one who believes in God to sing or just to listen to this song and to resonate with the hope of this prayer being answered all the days of our lives here on Earth, as well as beyond.