Here Am I, O Lord, Send Me

Tom Barker, vocals and guitar; Jeremiah Goertzen, baritone guitar

Song by Daniel March

“Here Am I, Oh Lord Send Me” was written by Daniel March in 1868, and the version we are playing was recorded by Mississippi John Hurt about 100 years later. The song draws from four scriptures. Matthew 13:24-30 and 37-43 reference sheaves of wheat as souls. In John 4:34, Jesus says the fields are ready for harvest; in other words, people are waiting for the gospel. In Romans 10:14-15, Paul asks “how can people hear unless someone is sent?” And finally, the song title comes from Isaiah‘s commissioning in Isaiah 6:8 where the Lord asks, “who will speak to the people for us?,” and Isaiah responds, “here I am, Lord, send me.” The writer of this hymn, Daniel March, reminds us that we’re all called to reach out to the lost souls around us whether they’re close to home or far away.