THE SONG OF THE SOUL SET FREE

          As a teenager I always looked forward to attending camp meeting for several weeks each summer.  And one of the things I especially enjoyed were the evening services in the large tabernacle.  Besides the great preaching, I looked forward to the special music, especially the large choir which nightly sang some of the great hymns of the faith.  And one that I especially remember is this week''s hymn choice.  It was always a stirring rendition by the choir.  Dr. Oswald J. Smith (1889 - 1886) was a Canadian pastor, missionary statesman and hymn writer who wrote about 1,200 songs. In 1933, another gospel song writer, A. H. Ackley (1887 - 1960), sent him the manuscript of a tune, asking that Smith see if he could provide words for it. Smith placed the music on the piano in his Toronto home and went right to work.   Ackley had suggested the basic theme and Smith soon had three stanzas to fit the tune. Then, it occurred to him that the holy angels, not personally having experienced salvation through the Calvary work of Christ, couldn't sing such a song from their own experience. That gave him the fourth stanza. He quickly added a refrain. Oswald Smith was pleased with the result, and in later years considered it one of the best he'd written.   The song is a triumphant testimony to the sinner's deliverance through Christ. It was often used by the large choirs in Billy Graham's evangelistic meetings.  It is a joyful song that reminds us of Jesus and His love for us.  It shares how He took our burdened life and forgave us and set the joybells ringing within our heart.  And to Him our praise - the song of the soul set free - shall ever be.  "Joy and peace to me it's bringing ...  and my heart is ever singing, Hallelujah! Hallelujah! The song of the soul set free! "  I hope that this is your testimony and that the song of the soul set free rings within you daily

1.      Fairest of ten thousand is Jesus Christ, my Savior, 

The Lily of the Valley, The Bright and Morning Star. 

He is all my glory, and in this heart of mine 

Forevermore I'm singing a song of love divine. 

'Tis the song of the soul set free, 

And its melody is ringing. 

'Tis the song of the soul set free; 

Joy and peace to me it's bringing. 

'Tis the song of the soul set free; 

And my heart is ever singing, 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! The song of the soul set free! 

2.      Once my heart was burdened, but now I am forgiven, 

And with a song of gladness, I'm on my way to heav'n. 

Christ is my Redeemer; my Song of Songs is He. 

My Savior, Lord, and Master--to Him my praise shall be.

'Tis the song of the soul set free, 

And its melody is ringing. 

'Tis the song of the soul set free; 

Joy and peace to me it's bringing. 

'Tis the song of the soul set free; 

And my heart is ever singing, 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! The song of the soul set free!  

3.      When He came to save me, He set the joybells ringing, 

And now I'm ever singing, For Christ has ransomed me. 

Once I lived in darkness; the light I could not see. 

But now I sing His praises, for He was set me free. 

'Tis the song of the soul set free, 

And its melody is ringing. 

'Tis the song of the soul set free; 

Joy and peace to me it's bringing. 

'Tis the song of the soul set free; 

And my heart is ever singing, 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! The song of the soul set free! 

4.      Angels cannot sing it--this song of joy and freedom, 

For mortals only know it, the ransomed and the free. 

Slaves were they in bondage and deepest misery; 

But now they sing triumphant their songs of liberty.

'Tis the song of the soul set free, 

And its melody is ringing. 

'Tis the song of the soul set free; 

Joy and peace to me it's bringing. 

'Tis the song of the soul set free; 

And my heart is ever singing, 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! The song of the soul set free! 

Listen to it here.    LISTEN