Check out these singing time ideas for teaching the Primary song, When He Comes Again. These When He Comes Again Primary singing time ideas are bound to accommodate your Primary’s learning style and needs!
My favorite is using simple finger drawings as you just can’t beat the simplicity of this lesson plan! And in the end, everyone’s drawings turn out as beautiful as they imagine!
Teach the Primary song, When He Comes Again using these various singing time methods (click on the link to quickly jump to that section):
When He Comes Again Singing Time Ideas for Primary: Lyrics and Music
Find the sheet music to When He Comes Again on the Church’s website. Did you know the lyrics originated as a Christmas poem? It’s BEAUTIFUL!
Last night we trimmed our Christmas tree It’s such a lovely sight On every single branch we placed A colored crystal light. We hung a brilliant yellow star Up on the top – so. high. When I look up I ‘most believe That star is in the sky.
Then mommy sat right close to me. We watched the pretty glow Of crystal balls and shining lights; She asked me, “do you know The story of the Christmas star?” And then she said to me, “Come, darling, sit here and we’ll talk Beside the Christmas tree.”
Once in a land far, far away On that first Christmas night The shepherds, caring for their sheep, Beheld a wonderous sight. And angels came right down to earth And sang a song of joy. They told the shepherds of the birth Of a tiny baby boy.
You’ll find him wrapped in swaddling clothes Tucked snugly in a manger. The shepherds took their finest lamb As a gift for the wee stranger. Wise men had watched for many years To see a newborn star. This night they saw a wondrous light Shining from a far.”
It is the star! He has been born! our Savior, Christ, our King! Let’s hurry! We must find the babe Of whom the angels sing!” The wise men followed the birght star. It gently led the way And stood above the humble bed In which the baby lay.
This baby grew to be a man – Strong and wise and kind. He blessed each little child like you; He healed the sick and blind. He taught the people to do right He prayed for every one. Then he went back into heavn Up where the stars are hung. He’ll come again my mommy says No one can tell just when But probably it won’t be too long Then we’ll have peace again.
I wonder when he comes again Will herald angels sing? Will earth be white with drifted snow? Or will the world know spring? I wonder if one star will shine Far brighter than the rest? Will daylight stay the whole night through? Will songbirds leave their nests. I’m sure he’ll call his little ones Together’ round his knee Because he said in days gone by, “Suffer them to come to me.”
I wonder, when he comes again, Will I be ready there To look upon his loving face And join with him in prayer. Each day I’ll try to do his will And let my light so shine That others seeing me might seek For greater light divine. Then, when that blessed day is here, He’ll love me and he’ll say “You’ve served me well my little child; Come unto my arms to stay.”
When He Comes Again Flip Chart
Find When He Comes Again lyrics in a printable flip chart format so you can easily post the words in your Primary!
Singing Time Ideas and activities for When He Comes Again
1. Finger Drawings
This idea was shared on the PML FB group. I love it because it’s so simple to implement and the kids are SURE to love it! Shaylene explained:
The children will pretend their pointer finger is a
crayon or marker and draw in the air while singing. You can have these drawings all pre-drawn on your board, or create a flip card for each one and hold one up at a time while singing.
2. Coloring Pages
Sometimes, it’s nice to let the kids sit and color as they listen to a Primary song! In a nutshell, that’s the premise of this singing time lesson plan for When He Comes Again. After they’ve colored their pages, let them teach the song with their coordinating coloring page.
Access my printables at my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing my Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
To teach this in a short amount of time, simply skip coloring.
3. A Children's Songbook Companion
A Children’s Songbook Companion contains a singing time lesson plan for every single song in the Children’s Songbook including When He Comes Again. This book is now available to download in its entirety all for free only on Camille’s Primary Ideas!
Access this in my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing my Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
4. Handbells
This post explains everything you need to know about using handbells in Primary.
Or use Merry Bells Play-Along charts for When He Comes Again. There are several options to choose from:
- Play Along DVD Primary Songs #2
- Digital Download Multi-Note Harmony
- Digital Download Single-Note Melody
- Printable Handbell Charts
Make sure to use coupon code CPI for 10% off your order!
5. Sharla Dance
Sharla Dance has a Squiggle Map for teaching this song HERE. Check out her video below as well:
I created a digital squiggle map. It’s also available in my Resource Library.
6. Simplified ASL
ASL is always a great option as well! Holly has videos for teaching When He Comes Again using ASL. Check out her explanation video here:
Once you learn it, sign along with her here:
7. Coloring Book
Also available in the Resource Library is this When He Comes Again coloring book:
Access these printables at my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing the Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
When He Comes Again Song History
This information comes from Stories from The Children’s Songbook by Sister Pat Graham.
Words and music: Mitla Greenwood Thayne (1907-1997) LDS
Mirla Mayne was elected to the Writer’s hall of Fame of the League of Utah Writers. She tells children, “Do you know that in your wonderful brain is a tiny recorder that records and holds tight to the music you hear? Beautiful music comes from our Heavenly Father and is given to you to inspire you and lead you closer to Him.”
When Sister Thayne was preparing a presentation for her Provo ward’s spring conference, she realized that she would need short speaking parts for the youngest children.
She quickly wrote twelve two-line parts, which became one poem about the Second Coming. She said that later as she sat at her piano, “A tune formed in my mind to be transformed to my fingers.” She found that the words the little children had spoken “were a perfect match” to the tune she was playing.
The song was printed in The Children’s Friend, and became a favorite all over the world. For many years, her song “When He Comes Again,” was available as an illustrated storybook.
Leave your When He Comes Again Singing Time Ideas
How will you teach When He Comes Again in singing time? Leave a comment with your suggestions and ideas!
Check out this quick tutorial video for accessing the Resource Library:
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > When He Comes Again.
2 thoughts on “When He Comes Again Primary Singing Time Ideas”
this is a wonderful site!! Sharla is a dear friend to me. it’s so much fun to see other people learn from her.
Im so grateful for those who know ASL. It was so helpful.
Hi Sarah!
Thank you for commenting! I’m a huge fan of Sharla Dance, she’s really revolutionizing singing time with her knowledge and is so gracious to share! You are lucky to personally know her!
~Camille