I WILL SING THE WONDROUS STORY

The good old days probably weren't quite as good as we seem to think that they were.  However, one of the things that I miss are the Sunday evening services when we used to sing many uplifting and inspiring hymns.  One of those was "I Will Sing The Wondrous Story" with the back time in the chorus that I loved to sing, especially as a child.  And while I seldom hear this sung today, it still has a great message of what should be the excitement of singing, or at least sharing, the wondrous story of what Christ has done for us.  May we never tire or lose the enthusiasm of doing this.  F. H. Rowley was pastor of a Baptist church when he produced the words to the hymn in 1886.  He was assisted in his church by the song director Peter Philip Bilhorn.  One Sunday, following the service, Bilhorn asked Rowley to write a hymn for which he could provide the music. The following night, these stanzas came to him, and he gave them to Bilhorn who later composed the tune. Sometime afterwards, Bilhorn went to Brooklyn, NY, to meet with hymn-writer and music publisher George Coles Stebbins. Stebbins asked if Bilhorn had any songs which he had written, and he showed him the one that he and Rowley had produced. Since Bilhorn had not studied any harmony to that point, Stebbins harmonized the song for him and then took him to see another famous song-leader, hymn-writer, and music publisher, Ira David Sankey. They showed the song to Sankey, who was impressed with it and thought that it would be useful.   So Bilhorn, with Rowley's approval, presented it as a gift to Sankey. When it was published by Sankey it was changed to "I Will Sing the Wondrous Story." This and other alterations in the original text were made, apparently without the author's knowledge or consent, by Sankey.  Years later Rowley wrote of this song, "As I was going down a London street one night about eleven o'clock, I discovered ahead of me a group of Salvation Army people holding a service, and as I came nearer to them it occurred to me that the hymn they were singing was familiar. Then it dawned upon me that it was the one that I had written."  And so, through the years, believers have sung this song as a testimony to what Christ has done in their lives.  Meditate on the words, with a joyful heart, this week.

1. I will sing the wondrous story

Of the Christ Who died for me;

How He left His home in glory

For the cross of Calvary.

Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story

Of the Christ Who died for me,

Sing it with the saints in glory,

Gathered by the crystal sea.

2. I was lost, but Jesus found me,

Found the sheep that went astray,

Threw His loving arms around me,

Drew me back into His way.

Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story

Of the Christ Who died for me,

Sing it with the saints in glory,

Gathered by the crystal sea.

3. I was bruised, but Jesus healed me,

Faint was I from many a fall,

Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,

But He freed me from them all.

Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story

Of the Christ Who died for me,

Sing it with the saints in glory,

Gathered by the crystal sea.

4. Days of darkness still come o'er me,

Sorrow's path I often tread,

But His presence still is with me;

By His guiding hand I'm led.

Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story

Of the Christ Who died for me,

Sing it with the saints in glory,

Gathered by the crystal sea.

5. He will keep me till the river

Rolls its waters at my feet;

Then He'll bear me safely over,

Where the loved ones I shall meet.

Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story

Of the Christ Who died for me,

Sing it with the saints in glory,

Gathered by the crystal sea.

Listen to it being sung here.  LISTEN