Here I Am Lord Lyrics: Meaning, History, and Funeral Use

The same hymn that sends off missionaries also comforts mourners — “Here I Am, Lord” is both a vocational anthem and a funeral staple. That line, sung by millions, carries a weight far beyond its simple melody—it’s a personal answer to a divine call.

Year composed: 1979 (published 1981) ·
Composer: Dan Schutte ·
Scriptural basis: Isaiah 6:8, 1 Sam. 3:4 ·
Denominational use: Catholic, Protestant, interdenominational ·
Common use: Funerals, commissioning services, general worship

Five key facts, one pattern: the hymn’s journey from a single prayer service to a global anthem of discipleship.

Is “Here I Am Lord” a Funeral Song?

Common funeral contexts

• Listed on Catholic funeral music planning pages, e.g., Old St. Patrick’s Church (Old St. Patrick’s Church) and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH Germantown).
• Described as music associated with hope and discipleship rather than explicit mourning (Old St. Patrick’s Church).

Other uses beyond funerals

• Frequently used in commissioning services for ministers, missionaries, and deacons (America Magazine).
• Appears in general worship and retreat settings across denominations.

The implication: the hymn is a funeral staple, but never an exclusive one. Its vocational message makes it equally at home in ordination liturgies and Sunday hymns.

The pattern: the hymn’s dual role makes it appropriate for both mourning and mission.

What Is the Story Behind the Hymn “Here I Am Lord”?

Dan Schutte’s composition in 1979

• Dan Schutte, a member of the St. Louis Jesuits, wrote the hymn for an ordination Mass of a deacon at St. Louis University (YouTube account (interview with Dan Schutte)).
• The commission reportedly required lyrics that incorporated God’s word, Jesus as the light, and the bread and wine of the Eucharist (same source).

Original context at St. Louis University

• The St. Louis Jesuits helped revolutionize Catholic worship with gentle guitar-based folk-style hymns after the Second Vatican Council (The Catholic Weekly).
• Schutte has said the song’s positive reception has continued consistently since its first performance (America Magazine).

What this means: the hymn was born from a specific, urgent need—a last‑minute assignment for a deacon’s ordination. That practical origin likely contributed to its direct, personal language.

What Bible Verse Is “Here I Am Lord” Based On?

Isaiah 6:8

• The hymn’s refrain directly echoes Isaiah’s response: “Here am I; send me!” (Discipleship Ministries).
• The first verse describes God who has heard the cries of people living in darkness and sin, mirroring the prophetic call.

Other scriptural allusions

• 1 Samuel 3:4 provides the pattern of a call‑and‑response: “The Lord called Samuel; and he said, Here am I.” (Discipleship Ministries).
• Themes from Exodus (God’s deliverance) and Jeremiah (reluctant prophet) also surface in the verses.

The catch: the hymn weaves multiple call narratives into one lyric, making it resonate with anyone who has felt a divine or vocational nudge.

The catch: the hymn’s flexibility allows it to speak to both the ready volunteer and the hesitant listener.

Do Protestants Sing “Here I Am Lord”?

Denominational usage

• Yes, widely used in Protestant denominations. The United Methodist Hymnal included it in 1989 (Discipleship Ministries).
• The Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal added it in 2007 (Discipleship Ministries).

Ecumenical acceptance

• Despite its Catholic origins, the hymn appears in non‑denominational and evangelical song books, often with minimal lyric changes (The Catholic Weekly).
• It is one of the few post‑Vatican II hymns that have crossed the Catholic‑Protestant divide organically.

Why this matters: the hymn’s scriptural fidelity and simple melody transcend denominational boundaries, making it a rare piece of shared repertoire.

What Is the Best Version of “Here I Am Lord”?

Notable recordings

• Dan Schutte’s original recording, available through OCP, remains a reference version (OCP).
• The hymn was voted the most-loved Catholic hymn in an international 2004 survey (The Catholic Weekly).

Upbeat vs. traditional arrangements

• Traditional renditions keep the slow, reflective folk style of the original.
• Contemporary praise bands often speed up the tempo and add percussion, but no single arrangement is officially “best”.

The trade-off: what suits a funeral may not suit a Sunday youth service. The hymn’s flexibility is both a strength and a source of disagreement among musicians.

Timeline: How “Here I Am Lord” Spread

• 1981 – Hymn published by New Dawn Music / OCP (America Magazine)
• 1989 – Adopted into the United Methodist Hymnal (Discipleship Ministries)
• 2004 – Voted most-loved Catholic hymn in international survey (The Catholic Weekly)
• 2007 – Included in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (Discipleship Ministries)

Confirmed Facts vs. What Remains Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Dan Schutte wrote the hymn in 1979; it was published in 1981. (America Magazine)
• It is used in Catholic, United Methodist, Lutheran, and many Protestant services. (The Catholic Weekly)
• It is frequently selected for funerals. (Old St. Patrick’s Church)

What remains unclear

• Whether Dan Schutte originally intended the hymn for funerals or for commissioning.
• Which musical arrangement is considered universally “best”.
• Whether the hymn was originally written for an ordination Mass or a general prayer service. (YouTube interview with Dan Schutte)
• Whether the lyrics were commissioned with specific liturgical requirements. (YouTube interview with Dan Schutte)

“Schutte said the song’s positive reception has continued consistently since its premiere in 1979 and publication in 1981.”

— America Magazine (Jesuit publication)

“The opening response ‘Here I am, Lord’ reflects the biblical call response in Isaiah 6:8, where Isaiah answers, ‘Here am I; send me!’”

— Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church

For congregations considering “Here I Am Lord” for an upcoming service—whether a funeral, ordination, or Sunday praise—the choice is clear: its scriptural roots and simple, earnest melody make it appropriate for nearly any context. Congregations need only decide on the tempo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related reading: Full lyrics and history of “Here I Am Lord” and More hymn analysis: “Go Lassie Go” lyrics and meaning.