Come, O Thou Traveller Unknown

Come, O thou Traveller unknown,
whom still I hold, but cannot see!
My company before is gone,
and I am left alone with thee.
With thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day;
with thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day.

I need not tell thee who I am,
my misery and sin declare;
thyself hast called me by my name,
look on thy hands and read it there.
But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.
But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.

Yield to me now, for I am weak,
but confident in self despair!
Speak to my heart, in blessing speak,
be conqured by my instant prayer.
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love.
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love.

'Tis Love! 'tis Love! Thou diedst for me,
I hear thy whisper in my heart.
The morning breaks, the shadows flee,
pure, Universal Love thou art.
To me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.
To me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.

Text: Charles Wesley (1742)
Tune: VERNON 88.88.88 (Sacred Harp #95)

Blow Ye The Trumpet, Blow

Blow ye the trumpet, blow!
The gladly solemn sound
let all the nations know,
to earth's remotest bound:

Refrain:

The year of jubilee is come!
The year of jubilee is come!
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.

Jesus, our great high priest,
hath full atonement made;
ye weary spirits, rest;
ye mournful souls, be glad: (Refrain)

Extol the Lamb of God,
the all atoning Lamb;
redemption in his blood
throughout the world proclaim. (Refrain)

Ye slaves of sin and hell,
your liberty receive,
and safe in Jesus dwell,
and blest in Jesus live: (Refrain)

Ye who have sold for nought
your heritage above
shall have it back unbought,
the gift of Jesus' love: (Refrain)

The gospel trumpet hear,
the news of heavenly grace;
and saved from earth, appear
before your Savior's face: (Refrain)

Text: Charles Wesley (1750)
Tune: LENOX, 66.66.88, by Lewis Edson (1782) (Sacred Harp #40)

How Firm A Foundation (Sacred Harp / shape note version)

"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

"When through deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

"When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Text: "K" in John Rippon's A Selection of Hymns (1787)
Tune: Sacred Harp #72 (Bellvue)

I Will Arise and Go To Jesus (Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy)

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

Refrain:

I will arise and go to Jesus;
He will embrace me in his arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms

Come. ye thirsty, come and welcome,
God's free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings You nigh

Come, ye weary, heavy-laden,
Bruised and ruined by the Fall;
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all:

View Him prostrate in the garden,
On the ground your Maker lies!
On the bloody tree behold Him,
Hear Him cry before He dies

Lo, the incarnate God, ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude

Words: Joseph Hart (1712-1768)
Music: RESTORATION 8.7.8.7 + Refrain (from the Sacred Harp)

What Wondrous Love Is This (Sacred Harp)

SHAPE NOTE STYLE:






BLUEGRASS STYLE:




CONTEMPORARY STYLE:





What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this
That caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down
Beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb,
Who is the great I AM,
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free
I’ll sing His love for me,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity I’ll sing on.

Background information on Sacred Harp and shape note singing.

Traditional American Folk Hymn