Beautiful Beckoning Hands

Beautiful hands at the gateway tonight,
Faces all shining with radiant light;
Eyes looking down from yon heavenly home,
Beautiful hands they are beckoning “come.”

Refrain

Beautiful hands, beckoning hands,
Calling the dear ones to heavenly lands;
Beautiful hands, beckoning hands,
Beautiful, beautiful, beckoning hands.

Beckoning hands of a mother whose love
Sacrificed life her devotion to prove;
Hands of a father to memory dear,
Beckon up higher the waiting ones here.

Refrain

Beautiful hands of a little one, see!
Baby voice calling, O mother, for thee;
Rosy cheeked darling, the light of the home,
Taken so early is beckoning “come.”

Refrain

Beckoning hands of a husband, a wife,
Watching and waiting the loved one of life;
Hands of a brother, a sister, a friend,
Out from the gateway tonight they extend.

Refrain

Brightest and best of that glorious throng,
Center of all and the theme of their song;
Jesus, our Savior, the piercèd One stands,
Lovingly calling with beckoning hands.

Refrain

Author: Fanny Crosby

Year: 1894

Commonly attributed to Fanny J. Crosby (also known as Frances Jane Crosby or Fanny Van Alstyne). The lyrics match her known hymn style and themes. Some hymnals list the composer as J. E. Delmarter, but the words are credited to Crosby.