Were You There?

Text by African-American

Parts

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About this hymn

Date: 1899
Tune: Were You There
Composer: African-American
Key: E
Meter: 10 10 14 10

Historical background

This edition is preserved in the Open Hymnal Project at source revision d35811b2d5c9. Contributor and publication details below are reproduced from the score metadata rather than inferred.

Theology & Scripture

The source index associates this text with Atonement, Contrition, Cross, Fear of the Lord, Gratitude, Jesus.

Mt 27:55-56 · Jn 19:34 · Lk 23:44-45 · 23:55 · Mt 28:1-7

Musical background

Were You There is presented in the source key of E, with four documented parts.

Sources & rights

Verified for United States on 2026-10-13. Public domain — source score marking

Words: African-American Spiritual, before 1899. Music: 'Were You There' African-American Spiritual, before 1899. Setting: attr. Charles Winfred Douglas, 1940. copyright: public domain. This score is a part of the Open Hymnal Project, 2013 Revision.