Where Could I Go?

Three little boys would pile into the back seat of a Studebaker with Dad driving and Mom riding shotgun (though at the time we didn’t know what that meant) and we’d be off on a trip to grandma’s or the weekly trip to town, or on our way to visit other aunts and uncles and cousins.

Many times we wouldn’t be on the road long when someone said “Let’s sing something!” and we’d spend the rest of the trip either learning a song from Mom and Dad or we’d sing through our repertoire of hymns and gospel songs we had already learned.

Songs like “On The Jericho Road” and “I’ll Be Listening (for my name)” were regular favorites. Another one was “Where Could I Go (but to the Lord)?”

J.B. Coats of Summerland, Mississippi wrote that song in 1901, and it became one of the most popular gospel songs of the century, and appeared in over 90 different hymnals.

Living below, in this old sinful world
Hardly a comfort can afford;
Striving alone to face temptation's sword,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Where could I go, oh where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul;
Needing a friend to help me in the end,
Where could I go, but to the Lord?

Neighbors are kind, I love them everyone,
We get along in sweet accord;
But when my soul needs manna from above,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Where could I go, oh where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul;
Needing a friend to help me in the end,
Where could I go, but to the Lord? 

Life here is grand, with friends I love so dear,
Comfort I get from God's own word;
Yet when I face the chilling hand of death,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Where could I go, oh where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul;
Needing a friend to help me in the end,
Where could I go, but to the Lord?

¹⁰The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe. –Proverbs 18

¹⁶But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!”

¹⁷But as for me, I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
you are my God, do not delay. –Psalm 40

³Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
⁴Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.

⁵Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, –Psalm105

³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. –Matthew 6

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