Every Sunday the lyrics from some great piece of Christian music will be featured. It's not that I want worship to revert to using all hymns, it's just that many modern Christian songs don't SAY anything. I really miss some deeper meaning. So I'm going to remind us of some great words.
I Know that My Redeemer Liveth (1893)
words by Jessie B. Pounds
tune by James H. Fillmore, Sr.
I know that my Redeemer liveth,
And on the earth again shall stand;
I know eternal life He giveth,
That grace and power are in His hand.
Chorus
I know, I know, that Jesus liveth,
And on the earth again shall stand;
I know, I know, that life He giveth,
That grace and power are in His hand.
I know His promise never faileth,
The Word He speaks, it cannot die;
Though cruel death my flesh assaileth,
Yet I shall see Him by and by.
Chorus
I know my mansion He prepareth,
That where He is there I may be;
O wondrous thought, for me He careth,
And He at last will come for me.
Chorus
This was written as part of an Easter cantata “Hope’s Messenger,” first performed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1893. It was so popular that it appeared in a hymn book, The Praise Hymnal, in 1896.
This is one of my favorites of the old hymns, although it is rarely sung. That's probably because its not in modern hymnbooks. The tune is as important to me as the words when labeling a song as a favorite. This one has it all.
2 comments:
I have to say as soon as I saw I know my that Redeemer liveth (and I do) I thought of Handel's Messiah this has to be one of my favourites and very moving, I have seen this performed by various choirs over the years but none gives me more pleasure than the local church at Christmas. All that said we looked at the music James H Fillmore wrote and he certainly was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Carol- I'm really glad to hear that it's still sung somewhere! Yes, it's very similar to the part from Messiah, but this one is much more singable for most of us.
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