The song describes the Christian belief that on Judgment Day, when God's trumpet sounds, the saved will gather in heaven and their names will be called out. The singer expresses confidence that when the roll is called in heaven, they will be there among the saved. Each stanza describes an aspect of Judgment Day and heaven, and is followed by a chorus reiterating that the singer will be present when the roll is called up yonder.

1. When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder

2. When the trumpet of the Lord shall
sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal,
bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather
over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll
be there.
1st Stanza

3. When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll
be there.
Chorus

4. On that bright and cloudless morning
when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection
share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to
their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll
be there.
2nd Stanza

5. When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll
be there.
Chorus

6. Let us labor for the Master from the
dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love
and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our
work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll
be there.
3rd Stanza

7. When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll
be there.
Chorus