He put a new song in my mouth

In 2008, Hannah received a New Harmonia Sacra hymnbook for her birthday.There are many new songs included that are unfamiliar to us and which will be enjoyable to learn!

From a previous post:

What is Harmonia Sacra? "It is based on a shape-note tune book first published as Genuine Church Music by Joseph Funk in Winchester, Virginia in 1832. This book, later renamed the Harmonia Sacra, and since revised in 25 editions down to the present, is the oldest shape-note book in continuous use. Approximately 16 annual singings are held from it in Mennonite communities in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, and some in Indiana." See this web page for some more information on the background of the Harmonia Sacra tradition.  The Serven Clan wrote an interesting post earlier this year about Sacred Harp, which is a related style of harmony.

Some more interesting information about Joseph Funk and Harmonia Sacra singing can be found here.

One Saturday night a couple of months ago, Dad and Mom were off running errands, and the three of us pulled out Hannah's hymnbook and attempted a new song together. With Jonathan on guitar, we quickly learned it and were able to sing it for Dad and Mom when they got home. Then the next morning at church we learned it together as a congregation.

The words are a wonderful testimony of God's grace! We can't find any information on who the author was, only that this is a folk hymn. Also, this past week the three of us recorded this together, with Hannah and me singing and Jonathan providing instrumental accompaniment.  So if you wish to hear the tune with the words, you can click here.

Redeeming Grace

Come all who love my Lord and Master,

And like old David I will tell,

Though chief of sinners, I've found favor,

By grace redeemed from death and hell;

Far as the east from west is parted,

So far my sins by dying love,

From me by faith are separated,

Blest antepast of joys above.

I late estranged from Jesus wandered,

And tho't each dang'rous poison good;

But He in mercy long pursued me

With cries of His redeeming blood;

Though like Bartimeus I was blinded,

In nature's darkest night concealed,

But Jesus' love removed my blindness,

And He His pard'ning grace revealed.

Now I will serve Him while He spares me,

And with His people sing aloud,

Though hell oppose and sinners mock me

In rapt'rous strains I'll praise my God.

By faith I view the heav'nly concert,

They sing high strains of Jesus' love,

Oh! with desire my soul is longing,

And fain would be with Christ above.

~Sarah

Comments

[Bet]

Love your song, girls! And Jonathan did a great job of accompanying you with guitar and flute! Very, very nice.

Hope you all will do more of these. The song has a beautiful tune and encouraging lyrics.

[The Hochstetlers Five]

All of us agreed that you all should seriously consider recording an entire album. We would be your first customers!