O My Father

First line: When I leave this frail existence / O my Father, thou that dwellest / Oh, my Father, Thou that dwellest / O my Father, thou that dwellest In the high and / O, my Father, thou that dwellest, In that high / O my Father, thou that dwellest In the high and glorious place / O my Father

Original language: English

Words: Eliza R. Snow
Music: James McGranahan

Lyrics
Statistics
Tunes

English

This song has been indexed in 106 languages:

About the text author

Eliza R. Snow

Song arrangements

Find sheet music and arrangements for this song via the BYU library.

O My Father
Hymns (1985, 2002 ed.), 292

1. O my Father, thou that dwellestIn the high and glorious place,When shall I regain thy presenceAnd again behold thy face?In thy holy habitation,Did my spirit once reside?In my first primeval childhoodWas I nurtured near thy side?
2. For a wise and glorious purposeThou hast placed me here on earthAnd withheld the recollectionOf my former friends and birth;Yet ofttimes a secret somethingWhispered, “You’re a stranger here,”And I felt that I had wanderedFrom a more exalted sphere.
3. I had learned to call thee Father,Thru thy Spirit from on high,But, until the key of knowledgeWas restored, I knew not why.In the heav’ns are parents single?No, the thought makes reason stare!Truth is reason; truth eternalTells me I’ve a mother there.
4. When I leave this frail existence,When I lay this mortal by,Father, Mother, may I meet youIn your royal courts on high?Then, at length, when I’ve completedAll you sent me forth to do,With your mutual approbationLet me come and dwell with you.

O My Father
Hymns (1948, 1979 ed.), 138

1. O my Father, thou that dwellestIn the high and glorious place,When shall I regain thy presence,And again behold thy face?In thy holy habitation,Did my spirit once reside?In my first primeval childhood,Was I nurtured near thy side?
2. For a wise and glorious purposeThou hast placed me here on earth,And withheld the recollectionOf my former friends and birth.Yet ofttimes a secret somethingWhispered, “You’re a stranger here;”And I felt that I had wanderedFrom a more exalted sphere.
3. I had learned to call thee Father,Through thy Spirit from on high;But until the key of knowledgeWas restored, I knew not why.In the heavens are parents single?No; the thought makes reason stare!Truth is reason, truth eternalTells me I’ve a mother there.
4. When I leave this frail existence,When I lay this mortal by,Father, Mother, may I meet youIn your royal courts on high?Then, at length, when I’ve completedAll you sent me forth to do,With your mutual approbationLet me come and dwell with you.

O My Father (Familiar Tune)
Hymns (1948, 1979 ed.), 139

1. O my Father, thou that dwellestIn the high and glorious place,When shall I regain thy presence,And again behold thy face?In thy holy habitation,Did my spirit once reside?In my first primeval childhood,Was I nurtured near thy side?
2. For a wise and glorious purposeThou hast placed me here on earth,And withheld the recollectionOf my former friends and birth,Yet ofttimes a secret somethingWhispered, “You’re a stranger here;”And I felt that I had wanderedFrom a more exalted sphere.
3. I had learned to call thee Father,Through thy Spirit from on high;But until the key of knowledgeWas restored, I knew not why.In the heavens are parents single?No; the thought makes reason stare!Truth is reason, truth eternalTells me I’ve a mother there.
4. When I leave this frail existence,When I lay this mortal by,Father, Mother, may I meet youIn your royal courts on high?Then, at length, when I’ve completedAll you sent me forth to do,With your mutual approbationLet me come and dwell with you.

These charts show the use of this song in English hymnbooks and other collections published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If a song appears in multiple editions of the same hymnbook, it is only counted once. [undetermined] means that tune information has not yet been entered in.

Tunes that have appeared with this song in English

Appearances of this song over time in English

X:292 Q:1/4=56 M:3/4 L:1/8 K:G (3(DG)A | B2 B2 (3(BA)G | A2 A2 (3(DF)A | c3 c (3(cB)A | B4 yy

X:28218 Q:1/4=180 M:9/8 L:1/8 K:Ab EA B | c6/2 c6/2 cB A | B6/2 B6/2 EG B | d6/2-d2 d dc B | c6/2-c6/2 yy

O My Father

Hymns (1985, 2002 ed.), 292

O My Father

Selected Hymns (1989, 1989 ed.), 51

O My Father

Hymns Made Easy (1990, 2012 ed.), no. 74

O My Father

Hymns: Simplified Accompaniments (1986, 1986 ed.), no. 200

Arr.: Darwin Wolford

O My Father

Manual-Only Hymns for Organ (2010, 2010 ed.), 38

O My Father

Transformations (2010, 2010 ed.), 24

O, My Father

Submitted Music (1980–Present), Jan 2006

Arr.: Rachel Mecham Goates

Contributor: Rachel Mecham Goates

O My Father

Submitted Music (1980–Present), Jan 2009

Arr.: Ann Kapp Andersen

Contributor: Ann Kapp Andersen

O My Father

Submitted Music (1980–Present), Jan 2006

Arr.: Rachel Mecham Goates

O My Father

Nauvoo Pageant , 27

O My Father

Music from April 2009 General Conference (2009, 2009-04 ed.), 2

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Arr.: Crawford Gates

O My Father

Music from April 2007 General Conference (2007, 2007-04 ed.), 7

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Arr.: Crawford Gates

O My Father

Principles of the Gospel (2003) (2003, 2014 ed.), no. 308

O My Father

Principles of the Gospel (2003) (2003, 2003 ed.), no. 312

O My Father

Music from April 2001 General Conference (2001, 2001-04 ed.), 5

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Arr.: Crawford Gates

O My Father

Music from April 1999 General Conference (1999, 1999-04 ed.), 3

Artist: Mormon Youth Chorus

Arr.: Robert C. Bowden

O My Father

Music from April 1996 General Conference (1996, 1996-04 ed.), 2

Artist: Mormon Youth Chorus

O My Father

Music from October 1994 General Conference (1994, 1994-10 ed.), 6

Artist: Mormon Youth Chorus

O My Father

Hymns for Temple Worship (1994, 1994 ed.), 24

Arr.: Michael F. Moody

O My Father

Gospel Fundamentals (1992, 2002 ed.), no. 250

O My Father

Music from October 1992 General Conference (1992, 1992-10 ed.), 1

Artist: Mormon Youth Chorus

O My Father

Music from April 1991 General Conference (1991, 1991-04 ed.), 2

Artist: Mormon Youth Chorus

O My Father

Music from April 1988 General Conference (1988, 1988-04 ed.), 2

Artist: Mormon Youth Chorus

O My Father

Hymns (1985, 1998 ed.), 292

O My Father

Hymns (1985, 1985 ed.), 292

O My Father

Music from October 1983 General Conference (1983, 1983-10 ed.), 4

Artist: Mormon Youth Chorus

O My Father

Music from October 1982 General Conference (1982, 1982-10 ed.), 2

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Arr.: Crawford Gates

O My Father

Music from April 1981 General Conference (1981, 1981-04 ed.), 2

Artist: Combined Institute choir

O My Father

Music from October 1980 General Conference (1980, 1980-10 ed.), 1

Artist: Mormon Youth Chorus

O My Father

Hymns and Children’s Songs (1978, 2004 ed.), no. 42

O My Father

Gospel Principles (1978, 1997 ed.), no. 350

O My Father

Gospel Principles (1978, 1979 ed.), no. 259

O My Father

Hymns and Children’s Songs (1978, 1978 ed.), no. 34

O My Father

Gospel Principles (1978, 1978 ed.), no. 326

O My Father

Hymns: Simplified Accompaniments (1972, 1976 ed.), no. 78

O My Father (Familiar Tune)

Favorite Seminary Songs (1961, 1965 ed.), no. 15d

O My Father

The Children Sing (1951, 1951 ed.), 76

O My Father (Familiar Tune)

Hymns (1948, 1979 ed.), 139

O My Father (Familiar Tune, Choir)

Hymns (1948, 1979 ed.), 270

Arr.: Evan Stephens

O My Father (Male Chorus)

Hymns (1948, 1979 ed.), 336

O My Father (Familiar Tune)

Hymns (1948, 1961-b ed.), 139

O My Father (Familiar Tune, Choir)

Hymns (1948, 1961-b ed.), 270

Arr.: Evan Stephens

O My Father (Male Chorus)

Hymns (1948, 1961-b ed.), 336

O My Father (Familiar Tune)

Hymns (1948, 1960-a ed.), 139

O My Father (Familiar Tune, Choir)

Hymns (1948, 1960-a ed.), 270

Arr.: Evan Stephens

O My Father (Male Chorus)

Hymns (1948, 1960-a ed.), 336

O My Father (Familiar Tune)

Hymns (1948, 1950 ed.), 139

O My Father (Familiar Tune, Choir)

Hymns (1948, 1950 ed.), 270

Arr.: Evan Stephens

O My Father (Male Chorus)

Hymns (1948, 1950 ed.), 336

O My Father

Hymns (1948, 1948 ed.), 139

O My Father

Hymns (1948, 1948 ed.), 270

Arr.: Evan Stephens

O My Father

Hymns (1948, 1948 ed.), 336

O My Father, Thou That Dwellest

Principles of the Gospel (1943) (1943, 1964 ed.), no. 347

O My Father

Sacred Choruses for Male Singers (1937, 1937 ed.), 22

Arr.: J. Spencer Cornwall

Oh, My Father

Latter-day Saint Hymns (1927, 1940 ed.), 395

Arr.: Evan Stephens

Oh, My Father

Latter-day Saint Hymns (1927, 1936 ed.), 395

Arr.: Evan Stephens

Oh, My Father

Latter-day Saint Hymns (1927, 1928ca-b ed.), 395

Arr.: Evan Stephens

Oh, My Father

Latter-day Saint Hymns (1927, 1928ca-a ed.), 395

Arr.: Evan Stephens

Oh, My Father

Latter-day Saint Hymns (1927, 1928 ed.), 395

Arr.: Evan Stephens

Oh, My Father

Latter-day Saint Hymns (1927, 1927 ed.), 395

Arr.: Evan Stephens

O My Father

O My Father / Let the Mountains Shout for Joy (1923, 1923 ed.), A

Artist: Trinity Mixed Quartet; Olive Kline; Elsie Baker; Lambert Murphy; Clifford Cairns; Evan Stephens (director)

Unofficial or Local Publications

O My Father

Truth Reflects upon Our Senses / O My Father (1922, 1922 ed.), L

Artist: Criterion Quartet; Frank Mellor; John Young; George W. Reardon; Donald Chalmers

O my Father

Music from April 1920 General Conference (1920, 1920-04 ed.), 3

Artist: Tabernacle Choir

Unofficial or Local Publications

O My Father

We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet / O My Father (1916, 1916 ed.)

Artist: Columbia Mixed Quartette

Unofficial or Local Publications

O My Father

O My Father / The Fisherman (1910, 1910 ed.)

Artist: Frank C. Stanley

O My Father

Let the Mountains Shout for Joy / O My Father (1910, 1910 ed.)

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square; Evan Stephens (director)

O My Father

Deseret Sunday School Songs (1909, 1937 ed.), 83

O My Father

Deseret Sunday School Songs (Selections) (1909, 1909 ed.), 83

O My Father

Deseret Sunday School Songs (1909, 1909 ed.), 83

O My Father

Songs of Zion (1908, 1925 ed.), 83

O My Father

Songs of Zion (1908, 1920 ed.), 83

O My Father

Songs of Zion (1908, 1918 ed.), 83

O My Father

Songs of Zion (1908, 1912 ed.), 83

O My Father

Songs of Zion (1908, 1908 ed.), 83

Unofficial or Local Publications

O My Father

Saw Ye My Savior / O My Father (1908, 1908 ed.)

Artist: Frank C. Stanley

Unofficial or Local Publications

O My Father

O My Father (1907, 1907 ed.)

Artist: Frank C. Stanley

Unofficial or Local Publications

O My Father

O My Father: Mormon Hymn (1907, 1907 ed.)

Artist: Frank C. Stanley

O My Father!

Deseret Sunday School Song Book (1891, 1908 ed.), no. 212

O My Father!

Deseret Sunday School Song Book (1891, 1907 ed.), no. 212

O My Father!

Deseret Sunday School Song Book (1891, 1906 ed.), no. 212

O My Father!

Deseret Sunday School Song Book (1891, 1905-b ed.), no. 212

O My Father (Familiar Tune)

A Selection from the Songs of Zion (, 1953 ed.), 16

O My Father, Thou That Dwellest

Selected L.D.S. Hymns (, 1944 ed.), 30

X:45116 Q:1/4=180 M:4/4 L:1/4 K:Eb G/2F/2 | E E F E/2F/2 | G e2 d/2c/2 | B3/2 c/2 E F/2G/2 | F3 yy

O My Father

Submitted Music (1980–Present), Jan 1992

Arr.: Brent N. Jorgensen

Contributor: Brent Jorgensen

X:45676 Q:1/4=180 M:4/4 L:1/4 K:C E G G G | E (E/2C/2) D C | E G E G | _B (A/2B/2) G2 yy

O My Father

Submitted Music (1980–Present), Jan 2015

Contributor: Lynne Perry Christofferson

X:46 Q:1/4=100 M:4/4 L:1/8 K:Eb E3 F G2 F2 | A2 G2 FD E2 | c2 B2 A2 G2 | F2 GE B4 | yy

X:17018 Q:1/4=180 M:C L:1/4 K:F F3/2 G/2 A G | B A G/2E/2 F | d c B A | G A/2F/2 c2 yy

O My Father

Deseret Sunday School Songs (1909, 1937 ed.), 181

O My Father

Deseret Sunday School Songs (1909, 1909 ed.), 181

O, My Father

Primary Song Book (1905, 1920-a ed.), 130

O, My Father

Primary Song Book (1905, 1915 ed.), 23

O, My Father

Primary Song Book (1905, 1912 ed.), 23

O, My Father

Primary Song Book (1905, 1905 ed.), 23

O My Father

Music from October 1981 General Conference (1981, 1981-10 ed.), 8

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

O My Father

Music from April 1978 General Conference (1978, 1978-04 ed.), 8

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

O My Father

Hymns (1948, 1979 ed.), 138

O My Father

Hymns (1948, 1961-b ed.), 138

O My Father

Hymns (1948, 1960-a ed.), 138

O My Father

Hymns (1948, 1950 ed.), 138

O My Father

Hymns (1948, 1948 ed.), 137

O My Father

Relief Society Songs (1940, 1940-a ed.), no. 22

O My Father

Relief Society Songs (1940, 1940-a ed.), no. 64

O, My Father!

Children’s Primary Tune Book (1880, 1880 ed.), no. 11b

O, My Father

Music from October 1910 General Conference (1910, 1910-10 ed.), 3

Artist: Robert H. Sidoway

O My Father, Thou that Dwellest

Latter-day Saint Hymns (1927, 1940 ed.), 34

O My Father, Thou that Dwellest

Latter-day Saint Hymns (1927, 1936 ed.), 34

O My Father, Thou that Dwellest

Latter-day Saint Hymns (1927, 1928ca-b ed.), 34

O My Father, Thou that Dwellest

Latter-day Saint Hymns (1927, 1928ca-a ed.), 34

O My Father, Thou that Dwellest

Latter-day Saint Hymns (1927, 1928 ed.), 34

O My Father, Thou that Dwellest

Latter-day Saint Hymns (1927, 1927 ed.), 34

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Latter-day Saints’ Psalmody (1889, 1920 ed.), 233

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Latter-day Saints’ Psalmody (1889, 1915 ed.), 233

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Latter-day Saints’ Psalmody (1889, 1912 ed.), 233

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Latter-day Saints’ Psalmody (1889, 1908 ed.), 233

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Latter-day Saints’ Psalmody (1889, 1906 ed.), 233

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Latter-day Saints’ Psalmody (1889, 1902 ed.), 233

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Latter-day Saints’ Psalmody (1889, 1896 ed.), 233

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Latter-day Saints’ Psalmody (1889, 1889 ed.), 233

O My Father

Sunday School Music Cards (1877–1879), Feb 1879

O My Father

Music from October 1974 General Conference (1974, 1974-10 ed.), 2

Artist: Choir from Ricks College

O My Father

Music from April 1974 General Conference (1974, 1974-04 ed.), 5

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

O My Father

Music from October 1973 General Conference (1973, 1973-10 ed.), 1

Artist: Relief Society choir

O My Father

Music from October 1973 General Conference (1973, 1973-10 ed.), 4

Artist: Wilford Region Choir

O My Father

Music from October 1972 General Conference (1972, 1972-10 ed.), 7

Artist: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Unofficial or Local Publications

O My Father

Latter-Day Saints Congregational Hymns, Volume 1 (1919, 1919 ed.), 47

Unofficial or Local Publications

O My Father

Latter-Day Saints Congregational Hymns, Volume 1 (1919, 1919 ed.), 48

O my Father

Music from October 1918 General Conference (1918, 1918-10 ed.), 4

Artist: J. J. McClellan (organ)

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Music from April 1918 General Conference (1918, 1918-04 ed.), 3

Artist: David Reese

O My Father

Music from April 1917 General Conference (1917, 1917-04 ed.), 3

Artist: John J. McClellan (organ)

O My Father

Music from October 1916 General Conference (1916, 1916-10 ed.), 3

Artist: Lilly Shipp

O, my Father

Music from April 1916 General Conference (1916, 1916-04 ed.), 5

Artist: John J. McClellan (organ)

Oh, my Father

Music from April 1912 General Conference (1912, 1912-04 ed.), 3

Artist: Amelia Margetts

Trans.: Samantha B. DeFoley

O my Father, Thou that dwellest

Music from April 1909 General Conference (1909, 1909-04 ed.), 4

Artist: Elihu Call

O My Father

A Selection of Seventeen Songs (1908, 1908-a ed.), 83

O my Father, Thou that dwellest

Music from April 1907 General Conference (1907, 1907-04 ed.), 2

O, My Father

Primary Song Book (1905, 1924 ed.), 90

O, My Father

Primary Song Book (1905, 1920 ed.), 90

O my Father, Thou that dwellest

Music from October 1905 General Conference (1905, 1905-10 ed.), 1

O my Father

Music from April 1905 General Conference (1905, 1905-04 ed.), 2

Artist: Clara Cluff; W. C. Clive (violin)

O my Father, Thou that dwellest

Music from October 1902 General Conference (1902, 1902-10 ed.), 3

Artist: Charles Kent

O My Father

Y. M. M. I. A. and Missionary Hymn and Tune Book (1899, 1909 ed.), 42

Arr.: Evan Stephens

O, my Father, thou that dwellest

Music from October 1899 General Conference (1899, 1899-10 ed.), 2

O My Father

Y. M. M. I. A. and Missionary Hymn and Tune Book (1899, 1899 ed.), 42

Arr.: Evan Stephens

O, my Father Thou that dwellest

Music from April 1898 General Conference (1898, 1898-04 ed.), 3

O, my Father, Thou that dwellest

Music from October 1897 General Conference (1897, 1897-10 ed.), 2

O, My Father!

Improvement Association Song Book (1887, 1887 ed.), 77

Arr.: A. C. Smyth

O My Father

Music from Deseret Sunday School Union Conferences , 1671

Artist: Heber J. Grant

O, My Father

Music from Deseret Sunday School Union Conferences , 1676

Artist: Heber J. Grant

O My Father

Music from Deseret Sunday School Union Conferences , 1683

Artist: Heber J. Grant; Evan Stephans (organ)

O, My Father

Music from Deseret Sunday School Union Conferences , 1704

O My Father

Songs and Hymns for Latter-day Saints (1980, 1980 ed.), 11

Unofficial or Local Publications

O My Father

Favorite Seminary Songs (O. C. Tanner) (1950, 1950 ed.), 49

O my Father

Latter-day Saints’ Sunday School Hymn Book (1896, 1908 ed.), 166

O my Father

Latter-day Saints’ Sunday School Hymn Book (1896, 1906 ed.), 166

O my Father

Latter-day Saints’ Sunday School Hymn Book (1896, 1903 ed.), 166

O my Father

Latter-day Saints’ Sunday School Hymn Book (1896, 1901 ed.), 166

O my Father

Children’s Sunday School Hymn Book (1896, 1899 ed.), 166

O my Father

Children’s Sunday School Hymn Book (1896, 1897 ed.), 166

O my Father

Children’s Sunday School Hymn Book (1896, 1896 ed.), 166

O My Father, Etc.

Selection of Hymns for Special Services (1894, 1894 ed.), 8

O my Father, Thou that dwellest

Children’s Primary Hymn Book: Hymns and Songs (1880, 1893 ed.), no. 47

O my Father, Thou that dwellest

Children’s Primary Hymn Book: Hymns and Songs (1880, 1888 ed.), no. 47

O my Father, Thou that dwellest

Children’s Primary Hymn Book: Hymns and Songs (1880, 1880 ed.), no. 45

Unofficial or Local Publications

Invocation (Or the Eternal Father and Mother)

Poems, Religious, Historical, and Political, Vol I (1856, 1856 ed.), 1

O my Father, Thou that dwellest

Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal) (1840, 1912 ed.), 130

O my Father, Thou that dwellest

Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal) (1840, 1905 ed.), 130

O my Father, Thou that dwellest

Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal) (1840, 1899 ed.), 130

O my Father, Thou that dwellest

Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal) (1840, 1897 ed.), 130

O my Father, Thou that dwellest

Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal) (1840, 1894 ed.), 130

O my Father, Thou that dwellest

Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal) (1840, 1891 ed.), 130

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal) (1840, 1890 ed.), 130

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal) (1840, 1887 ed.), 130

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal) (1840, 1884 ed.), 130

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal) (1840, 1883 ed.), 130

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal) (1840, 1871-a ed.), 130

O my Father, thou that dwellest

Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal) (1840, 1869 ed.), 129

O, my Father, thou that dwellest

Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal) (1840, 1851 ed.), 130

My Father in Heaven

Times and Seasons (1839–1846), Nov 1845

O My Father

Lyrics (Return to top)

Statistics (Return to top)

Tunes that have appeared with this song in English

Appearances of this song over time in English

Tune: My Redeemer / Admonition (by James McGranahan) (Return to top) Tune 292

Tune: Gentle Annie (by Stephen Foster) (Return to top) Tune 4413

Tune: O My Father (by Lynne Perry Christofferson) (Return to top) Tune 4615

Tune: Austria (by Franz Joseph Haydn) (Return to top) Tune 46

Tune: Harwell (by Lowell Mason) (Return to top) Tune 1170

Tune: O My Father (by Charles J. Thomas) (Return to top) Tune 7414

Tune: O My Father (by Evan Stephens) (Return to top) Tune 5211

Tune: Revelation (by Evan Stephens) (Return to top) Tune 4386

[undetermined] (Return to top)

Text only (Return to top)