O I WANT TO SEE HIM

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 1916

🕊️ Origin and Composer



“O I Want to See Him” is a Christian hymn written and composed by Rufus Henry Cornelius in 1916. 



Cornelius was born on January 24, 1872, in Blount County, Alabama. He later worked in music publishing and was deeply involved in church music. 



Besides writing hymns, he compiled hymn collections such as Harvest of Light (1913) and worked with other hymnbooks in the early 20th century. 



He died in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1933. 



📜 Publication and Use



The hymn was first published in 1916, and it has since appeared in many hymnals, especially within Protestant and Church of Christ traditions. 



Over the decades it has been included in various collections and worship hymnals, reflecting its enduring use in congregational singing. 



🎶 Theme and Meaning



The hymn expresses a yearning to see Jesus Christ face to face — a common theme in Christian hope and eschatology, based on verses such as 1 John 3:2. 



The chorus emphasizes joy in heaven, seeing Christ’s face, and singing forever in glory. 



Throughout its verses, it uses imagery of Christian life as a journey with trials and Christ as a guide through service, valleys, and storms — pointing to perseverance and ultimate reward. 



🧭 Musical Style



The hymn has a peppy, upbeat tune, which made it popular in traditional congregational singing, especially in mid-20th-century Protestant worship. 



If you’d like, I can also provide the full hymn lyrics or discuss how its use has varied across different Christian traditions.


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