The Cyber Hymnal ‎#12073

12073. Great Redeemer, Friend Of Sinners

1 Great Redeemer, friend of sinners,
Thou hast wondrous power to save;
Grant me grace, and still protect me,
Over life’s tempestuous wave:
May my soul with sacred transport,
View the dawn while yet afar,
And until the sun arises,
Lead me by the morning star.

2 O! what madness! O! what folly,
That my heart should go astray;
After vain and foolish trifles,
Trifles only of a day:
This vain world with all its pleasures,
Very soon will be no more;
There’s no object worth admiring,
But the God whom we adore.

3 See the happy spirits waiting,
On the banks beyond the stream,
Sweet responders still repeating,
Jesus, Jesus is their theme:
Hark! they whisper, lo! they call me,
Sister spirit, come away;
Lo! I come, earth can’t contain me,
Hail the realms of endless day.

4 Swiftly roll, ye lingering hours,
Seraphs, lend your glittering wings;
Love absorbs my ransom powers,
Heavenly song around me rings,
Worlds of light and crowns of glory,
Far above yon azure sky,
Only now by faith I see you;
Soon I hope to dwell on high.

Text Information

• First Line: Great Redeemer, friend of sinners
• Title: Great Redeemer, Friend Of Sinners
• Welsh Title: O lachawdwr pechaduriaid
• Author: William Williams, 1717-1791
• Translator: William Griffiths, 1777-1825 (alt.)
• Meter: 87.87.87.877
• Language: English
• Source: Tr.: Social and Campmeeting Songs For the Pious, 4th ed. (Baltimore: Armstrong & Plaskitt, 1822)
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tune: IN MEMORIAM by Caradog Roberts

Tune Information

• Name: ALEXANDER
• Composer: John Roberts, 1823-1877
• Meter: 87.87.87.877
• Key: f♯ minor
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Repeats penultimate line of each verse