Jay D Weaver's Thought for the Week

An Old Southern Hymn

Giovanni Bellini

A collection of hymns entitled Southern Harmony was published in 1835. It includes many of those great gospel hymns which have become beloved over the years. The tunes are beautiful Appalachian folk tunes. Many of these hymns have become part of the "Sacred Harp" tradition. These songs are sung using shaped notes and four-part harmony.

The four parts are arranged on the 4 sides of the room and the leader stands in the middle. Parts are often switched among the sopranos, altos, tenor, and bass. Thus everyone gets a chance to sing the melody on occasion. This practice is still carried on today in the South. If you are interested in more information, you can find a wealth of it by searching the phrase "Sacred Harp" on the web.

The song I have selected appeared first in S. Mead's A General Selection in 1911. The song has become the most popular of all the hymns found in Southern Harmony and is also found today in many hymals. It is entitled "What Wondrous Love is This." I have included the text and a midi file of the tune. This is a great hymn to enjoy during Lent.

What wondrous love is this, oh! my soul! oh! my soul!
What wondrous love is this, oh! 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 deat I'm free, I'll sing and joyful be,
And through eternity I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
And through eternity I'll sing on!

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