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November 1, 2005
Three Hymns for All Saints Day
***
The titles of each of these are links to MIDI versions of the tunes which I first used to sing them. Often time this turns out to be my favorite tune, perhaps just because of associations with the place, literal and spiritual, in which I was when I learned them.
I find modern tune updates for hymns to be a rather hit or miss affair. They generally miss if they try to pep a tune up which really requires more solemnity or reflection. It is a fine art, which I might add Worship in the City does rather well.
The first hymn is for my mother, Norma Lee, and sweet Auntie Venus who also went to be with Jesus this past Friday. Rest, dear ones, rest. I will see you "soon," in the Light of the Eternal Day.
For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For the Apostles’ glorious company,
Who bearing forth the Cross o’er land and sea,
Shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
Like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
Is fair and fruitful, be Thy Name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
Saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
And seeing, grasped it, Thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
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***This image is a diptych from a triptych at Cornerstone. I have forgotten why I did not get the entire triptych, perhaps I primarily wanted the lovely image of the woman. I have framed it in red and it seems a fitting image for the day.
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The second hymn we sang this week in church for communion. It so brilliantly expresses our inability to reach God by our own efforts and His sweet mercy in making a way. Buy and eat without money. Here is the original.
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love, and pow'r.
He is able, He is able,
He is willing, doubt no more.
Come, ye needy, come and welcome,
God's free bounty glorify;
Ture belief and true repentence,
Ev'ry grace that brings you nigh,
Without money, without money,
Come to Jesus Christ, and buy.
Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness he requireth
Is to feel your need of him;
This he gives you, this he gives you,
'Tis the Spirit's glimm'ring beam.
Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Bruised and mangled by the fall,
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all;
Not the righteous, not the righteous,
Sinners Jesus came to call.
Agonizing in the garden,
Lo! our Saviour prostrate lies!
On the bloody tree behold Him!
Hear Him cry before He dies,
"It is finished, it is finished"
Sinners, will not this suffice?
Lo! th' incarnate God ascending,
Pleads the merit of His blood;
Venture on Him, venture freely,
Let no other trust intrude;
None but Jesus, none but Jesus
Can do helpless sinners good.
Saints and angels, joined in concert,
Sing the praises of the Lamb,
While the blissful seats of heav'n
Sweetly echo with his name,
"Hallelujah!", Hallelujah!
Sinners here may do the same.
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Another version of this hymn modifies the words and adds this refrain. I like the "ten thousand charms" bit, even though it may be slightly syncretistic with Celtic traditions, which is perhaps why I like it in the first place.
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.
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Much as I like Coldplay and find Chris Martin goofily sincere and even like the song he made from this hymn, its real sense is lost and Chist and His love are lost. Here is the original.
My song is love unknown,
My Savior’s love to me;
Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be.
O who am I, that for my sake
My Lord should take, frail flesh and die?
He came from His blest throne
Salvation to bestow;
But men made strange, and none
The longed for Christ would know:
But O! my Friend, my Friend indeed,
Who at my need His life did spend.
Sometimes they strew His way,
And His sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day
Hosannas to their King:
Then “Crucify!” is all their breath,
And for His death they thirst and cry.
Why, what hath my Lord done?
What makes this rage and spite?
He made the lame to run,
He gave the blind their sight,
Sweet injuries! Yet they at these
Themselves displease, and ’gainst Him rise.
They rise and needs will have
My dear Lord made away;
A murderer they saved,
The Prince of life they slay,
Yet cheerful He to suffering goes,
That He His foes from thence might free.
In life, no house, no home
My Lord on earth might have;
In death no friendly tomb
But what a stranger gave.
What may I say? Heav’n was His home;
But mine the tomb wherein He lay.
Here might I stay and sing,
No story so divine;
Never was love, dear King!
Never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend, in Whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend.
Church Life and Theology | By jackdas | 9:51 AM
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Comments
hello Neil, Thanks for the welcome to the community. Any ideas on learning more about this blog stuff. I'm reading the moveable type manual/instrx etc. Any ideas after that? By the way, this is Ryan --The one year St. Louisan, Texan at heart.
Posted by: pigpens at November 2, 2005 11:39 PM
