BE THOU MY VISION (TH)

 TIMELESS HYMNS - A regular feature in which I choose a previous hymn blog, revise it and post it again.  This one was first posted in 2013. 

         Many folks make resolutions in an attempt to improve their lives.  They vow to lose weight, to exercise more, to follow a budget, to get out of debt, to spend more time with loved ones, and a variety of worthwhile goals.  

          Unfortunately, many of these resolutions are soon broken or forgotten as the weeks pass by.  But for those who do have the discipline to follow through, their lives can be enriched and improved.  And with those positive results in mind, let me suggest that this week's hymn choice might be an appropriate prayer or goal for your spiritual life.   

          St. Patrick (385-461 AD), a missionary, was a man zealous for the things of God.  He chose to defy an Irish King's edict that restricted the lighting of candles on Easter Eve. King Logaire of Tara had decreed that no one was allowed light any fires until a pagan spring festival was started by the lighting of a fire on Slane Hill. 

          But Patrick decided to honor God in spite of the threat of death. It is said that King Logaire was so impressed with Patrick's brave devotion that he let him continue his missionary work unhindered.   

          An 8th Century Monk, Dallan Forgaill penned the words to Be Thou My Vision, as a tribute to St. Patrick's loyalty to God. The hymn was translated from Irish to English in 1905 by Mary E. Byrne. In 1912, Eleanor H. Hull arranged the song into the verse most commonly found in English hymnals today. The music to accompany the lyrics is an ancient Irish folk tune called Slane.  

          Meditate carefully on the words this week and make them your prayer today and throughout the coming year.  May God be your vision, your wisdom, your battle shield, your delight, your shelter, your treasure, and your inheritance.  May He be first in your heart.

          "Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O ruler of all!"  What a desire and goal

 

(1)   Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.

Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

 

(2)   Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

 

(3)   Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;

Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;

Thou my soul's Shelter, Thou my high Tower:

Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

 

(4)   Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,

Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

 

(5)   High King of Heaven, my victory won,

May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heaven's Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

 

Listen to it being sung here.   LISTEN

 

THERE IS A GREEN HILL

          As a small girl, Cecil Frances Humphries (1918-1895) wrote poetry in her school's journal.  She was recognized for her writing skills.  In 1850 she married Rev. William Alexander, who later became the Anglican primate (chief bishop) of Ireland.
          From a young age she cultivated a desire to love and serve others in the Lord's name.  She especially loved children and spent much of her life ministering to their needs.  In 1846 she helped establish a school for deaf and dumb children.  Long after she was gone, those who knew her remembered her walking to the farthest regions carrying food and love and then returning home, often in inclement weather.
          Encouraged by her father and later by her husband, she composed more than 400 hymns during her lifetime. She wrote hymns based on the Apostles' Creed, baptism, the Lord's Supper, the Ten Commandments, and prayer, writing in simple language for children.  Even though this hymn was written with children in mind, her clear presentation of the redemptive work of Christ has allowed the hymn to prosper and continue to find favor even among adults. 
          In the first stanza, the green hill is Golgotha (Calvary), far away in both time and geography. According to lore, the author would often pass by a green hill between her home and Derry, and she associated it with what Calvary might look like. The second line, "Without a city wall," most likely was intended to mean "Outside a city wall," and some hymnals make that change. The last line, "Who died to save us all," is borne out of Scriptures such as 1 John 2:2 ("he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world," KJV) and Isaiah 53:6 ("the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all"). Similarly, the second stanza speaks of a substitutionary atonement, as in Galatians 3:13 ("being made a curse for us"), Isaiah 53:5 ("he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities"), or 2 Corinthians 5:21 ("For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin," ESV).
          The third stanza speaks of a forgiving act, as in Hebrews 9:22 ("without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins," ESV) or Ephesians 1:6–7 ("To the praise of the glory of his grace, . . . In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins," KJV; also Colossians 1:14). This act also makes us better, bringing about change (2 Cor. 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature," etc.).   The image of the doorway to heaven continues into stanza four, where it says only Christ was "good enough / To pay the price for sin." Hebrews 4:15 speaks of one "who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." Likewise, 1 Peter 2:22 says, "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth," and 1 John 3:5 says, "You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin" (ESV).
          The last stanza is one of application, calling upon worshipers to "love Him too / And trust in His redeeming blood / And try His works to do." The first of these is summarized well in the way the greatest commandment in the Bible is the instruction to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deut. 6:5; also Matt. 22:37, Mk. 12:30, Lk. 10:27). The Bible also explains, the one who loves God keeps his commandments (Deut. 7:9, Jn. 14:15,21–24, 1 John 5:3). Finally, 1 Peter 1 tells us to "call on him . . . knowing that you were ransomed . . . with the precious blood of Christ" (1:17–19). 
          Some believe that this is the most perfect hymn in the English language. 
          She died in 1895 and is buried in Derry Cemetery … on the very "green hill far away."

1   There is a green hill far away,

without a city wall,

where the dear Lord was crucified,

who died to save us all.

2   We may not know, we cannot tell,

what pains he had to bear;

but we believe it was for us

he hung and suffered there.

3   He died that we might be forgiv'n,

he died to make us good,

that we might go at last to heav'n,

saved by his precious blood.

  

4   There was no other good enough

to pay the price of sin;

he only could unlock the gate

of heav'n, and let us in.

                                   

                                     5   O dearly, dearly has he loved,

                                   and we must love him too,

                                        and trust in his redeeming blood,

                                 and try his works to do.

Listen to it here.  GREEN

 

THY WORD HAVE I HID

          "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: Teach me Thy statutes. With my lips have I declared All the judgments of Thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, As much as in all riches." Psalm 119:11-16 KJV.
          Music written about scripture is important because it helps us learn and remember vital truths shared in God's Word.  This week's choice is no exception because it reminds us of the importance of hiding God's Word in our hearts for our spiritual growth.
          The song was written in 1908 by Ernest O. Sellers (1869-1952).  Following his graduation from high school in Lansing, Michigan, he became an apprentice to a surveyor and civil engineer.  Five years later he was appointed city engineer and superintendent of public works.  Then he was converted at the Lansing YMCA and he enrolled as a student with the Moody Bible Institute at Chicago, IL in 1895.  From 1901 to 1905, he served as a YMCA secretary at Macon, GA, then Washington, DC, and finally Wilmington, DE. For the next two years, he was an assistant minister with the Euclid Ave. Baptist Church in Cleveland, OH, but in 1908 and for the next ten years he returned to Moody as an assistant director of the Music Department. It was during this time that Sellers paraphrased portions of Psalm 119 for this hymn..
          He also produced many articles, poems, and other hymns. In 1921, he provided a tune for words by Anna B. Russell entitled "A Song in the Heart" beginning, "There is never a day so dreary" to create the hymn "Wonderful, Wonderful Jesus,".  This is  perhaps his best known work. 
          Stanza 1 of this week's hymn is based on verse 105, stanza two on verses 89 and 90, stanza three on verses 164, 62, and 57, with the chorus on verse 11.  Stanza 1 says that the Word guides and saves us.  Stanza 2 says that it tells us about God's faithfulness.  Stanza 3 shares that it reveals that the Lord is our portion and stanza 4 foretells the coming of the Savior.  The chorus emphasizes the necessity of having this word in our hearts to help us not to sin against the Lord.
          Let this simple song remind us daily of our need to commit God's Word to our hearts.  May this be a daily goal for each of us

1      Thy Word is a lamp to my feet,

A light to my path alway,

To guide and to save me from sin,

And show me the heav'nly way.

Refrain:

Thy Word have I hid in my heart,

That I might not sin against Thee;

That I might not sin, that I might not sin,

Thy Word have I hid in my heart.

2      Forever, O Lord, is Thy Word

Established and fixed on high;

Thy faithfulness unto all men

Abideth for ever nigh. (Refrain)

3      At morning, at noon, and at night

I ever will give Thee praise;

For Thou art my portion, O Lord,

And shall be thro' all my days! (Refrain)

4      Thro' Him whom Thy Word hath foretold,

The Savior and Morning Star,

Salvation and peace have been bro't

To those who have strayed afar. (Refrain)

Listen to it here.   THY WORD

 

https://youtu.be/hlsPO_9z7YE

MOMENT BY MOMENT

For over 16 years I have written weekly hymn blogs, nearly 800 of them.  But while I have shared information about them, I have never shared which were my personal favorites.  So I began, in 2023, a new feature in which, once a month, I share one of my favorites and why it has had an impact on my life.

          The older I become, the more I feel the need to walk moment by moment in the presence of the Lord. As the burdens grow greater and our strength decreases, it is vital to recognize that He is with us always and everywhere, each moment of the day. There is no event in our lives that He is not aware of and in control of. 

          Think of some of the important moments you have experienced:

1.      The moment you knew you needed a Savior;

2.      The moment you first experienced the grace of God;

3.       The moment you found the strength to keep going;

4.       The moment you gained the courage to stand up for Christ;

5.       The moment you discovered the answer in God's Word.

This hymn is so true and probably one that we need to sing daily as a reminder of His presence, love and concern, each moment of our lives.  

          Ira Sankey shared an interesting story about this hymn. "While I was attending the World's Fair in Chicago, Henry Varley, a lay preacher from London, said to Major Daniel W. Whittle: "I do not like the hymn 'I Need Thee Every Hour' very well, because I need Him every moment of the day. Soon after Major Whittle wrote this sweet hymn …n[He] brought the hymn to me in manuscript a little later, saying that he would give me the copyright of both the words and music if I would print for him five hundred copies on fine paper, for distributing among his friends. His daughter, May Whittle, who later became the wife of Will R. Moody, composed the music. I did as Mr. Whittle wished; and I sent the hymn to England, where it was copyrighted on the same day as at Washington. In England the hymn became very popular. 

          Falling into the hands of the well-known Rev. Andrew Murray, of South Africa, then visiting London, he adopted it as his favorite hymn. A year later Mr. Murray visited Northfield, Massachusetts], and while holding a meeting for men in the church he remarked, "If Sankey only knew a hymn which I found in London, and would sing it, he would find that it embraces my entire creed." I was very anxious to know what hymn it was, and when he had recited it I said to him: "Doctor, that hymn was written within five hundred yards of where we are standing." For years Dr. Murray had his wife sing this hymn in nearly all his meetings. It also became a great favorite in South Africa during the war."

          While the hymn speaks of moments that have been important to us, we must also remember that this is a moment that matters to others.  It is a moment when thousands are dying without the Lord.  A moment when God's love, peace and strength desperately need to be felt by multitudes.  A moment when the still small voice of the Jesus is speaking to someone's heart.  A moment when we today share His love with others so that the truth of this hymn can become their testimony.

          But there is another moment when, in a moment our chance to reach the lost for Jesus will end.  "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."  I Corinthians 15:52.  Hopefully that moment will come soon.

          Today may we be reminded that in this moment you are His and are held in His love.

 

1.      Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine;

Living with Jesus, a new life divine;

Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,

Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

Moment by moment I'm kept in His love;

Moment by moment I've life from above;

Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;

Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

 

2.      Never a trial that He is not there,

Never a burden that He doth not bear,

Never a sorrow that He doth not share,

Moment by moment, I'm under His care.

Moment by moment I'm kept in His love;

Moment by moment I've life from above;

Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;

Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

 

3.      Never a heartache, and never a groan,

Never a teardrop and never a moan;

Never a danger but there on the throne,

Moment by moment He thinks of His own.

Moment by moment I'm kept in His love;

Moment by moment I've life from above;

Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;

Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

 

4.      Never a weakness that He doth not feel,

Never a sickness that He cannot heal;

Moment by moment, in woe or in weal,

Jesus my Savior, abides with me still.

Moment by moment I'm kept in His love;

Moment by moment I've life from above;

Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;

Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

 

Listen to the words here.  LISTEN

 

 

https://youtu.be/b7b0cf_kM8c

 

 

10,000 REASONS (TH)

TIMELESS HYMNS - A regular feature in which I choose a previous hymn blog, revise it and post it again.  This one was first posted June 24, 2012. 

          Normally I have shared old hymns, many of which were written centuries ago but have survived through the ages.  You are probably aware that for many folks there is still a controversy over the fact that today most churches have generally abandoned these great hymns and now feature worship and praise choruses.  

          Unfortunately, many of these will never pass the test of time.  They are often written, sung, and then forgotten.  But even so, some of them are very good and they can lead us to worship.  With that in mind, I have deviated from my usual pattern of choices and have chosen one of my favorite praise choruses that was written just last year.   I think it could be a daily prayer for each of us during the days ahead. 

          This was written by Matt Redman, an English Christian worship leader, songwriter and author who, at the age of 39, has had a major impact on the church music of this generation. In 2008 Matt, his wife Beth, along with their three children, moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to plant a church with Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin called Passion City Church.

           In August 2010, Redman and his family returned to the UK. They have since joined a church plant in Brighton at St Peter's Church, Brighton.  In February of 2011, Redman joined Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, and Nathan and Christy Nockels at LIFT - A Worship Leader Collective. 

          His live album, 10,000 Reasons, was recorded during this event.  On July 28, 2012, the title track of Redman's album topped the Billboard Christian Songs chart. It was Redman's first number one hit on American Contemporary Christian radio. 

           In discussing this number, Redman has said the following.  "When I talk about the reasons for God's worth and say there are "ten thousand reasons for my heart to find", that's actually a huge poetic understatement.  The reasons for the praise of God are so wide and wonderful that we could sing from now until forever and never run out of ideas as to why He is quite so worthy."  

          "... my heart may sing to You and not be silent, O lord my God, I will give thanks forever." (Psalm 30:12).  The Psalmist knows of a multitude of reasons why we should worship God.  And he knows of not one reason why he should refrain from doing so.  He can't think of a single motive why he should remain silent.  The same must be true for our own lives.  The worship of Jesus should be vibrant, creative and colorful ss we unfold our hearts in praise.  There will be an eternity of reasons to adore and revere Him"  

          And I doubt that I could add anything to what Matt and the Psalmist have shared.  Truly we have many more than 10,000 reasons to bless the Lord.  May we be reminded of that as we sing these words this week as part of our worship of our Great God.

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

 

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

 

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger

Your name is great, and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

 

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

 

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name

Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

 

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name

I'll worship Your holy name

 

Listen to Matt Redman's song here.    BLESS

MY WEALTH IS NOT IN WHAT I OWN

          If you are a citizen of the United States, you may presently still be trying to complete your annual income tax.  This can be a very stressful time for most of us.
          Even if we have it done by a tax preparer, the process still requires us to review all of our financial investments and income – wages, IRA’s, bonuses, deposits, stocks, bonds, debts, etc.  Generally, we consider these things to be our personal wealth.  But as we’ve probably learned with recent inflation, this wealth can quickly come and go.

           In addition, one of the struggles we each face is the search for significance. Our 21st-century sense of identity is grounded in individualism, self-entitlement, and narcissism. From whom we marry to what career choice we make, to what church we attend, every choice is geared around what these things do for us.  This attitude of consumerism is one of the most prevalent idols in Western culture and has become an epidemic even in the church.
          This week’s choice is a song that speaks to the subject of worth by reminding us that true significance is found not in our financial wealth but in our identity in Christ.   It was written by Kristyn and Keith Getty and Graham Kendrick, in an attempt to share that we, as men and women created in the image and likeness of the Creator, are created with intrinsic worth. In Christ, no longer do we look to our own accomplishments and achievements to find significance. We look instead to his perfect work on our behalf, and there our souls find the true sense of identity we so crave. The chorus of their song reminds us Jesus is an inheritance and treasure far greater than anything this world has to offer.  
          According to William Temple, “My worth is what I am worth to God, and that is a marvelous great deal, for Christ died for me.”
          This hymn covers a diversity of themes—stewardship, accomplishment, youth and beauty, idolatry, worth, and the atoning work of Christ on our behalf.  It reaffirms that as redeemed men and women our identity is wrapped up in Christ, the sinless Son of God.
          So as you struggle completing your income tax, rejoice that your wealth is not in what you own, but in the costly wounds of love … at the Cross.

My worth is not in what I own

Not in the strength of flesh and bone

But in the costly wounds of love

At the cross

My worth is not in skill or name

In win or lose, in pride or shame

But in the blood of Christ that flowed

At the cross

I rejoice in my Redeemer

Greatest Treasure,

Wellspring of my soul

I will trust in Him, no other.

My soul is satisfied in Him alone.

As summer flowers we fade and die

Fame, youth and beauty hurry by

But life eternal calls to us

At the cross

I will not boast in wealth or might

Or human wisdom's fleeting light

But I will boast in knowing Christ

At the cross

Two wonders here that I confess

My worth and my unworthiness

My value fixed - my ransom paid

At the cross

 

Listen to it here.    WEALTH

 

 

THE WISEMAN

          Sometimes songs which we learn as children are classics because they teach us important truths and often stick with us throughout our lives. Such is this one written in 1948 by Ann Omley.

          I thought of this song in October and November as I watched the devastation in Florida caused by hurricanes.  Homes and buildings built on the sand just crumbled into the ocean as the waves wiped away the sand on which they were built.  Expensive structures gone in minutes because of their foundations.  So sad!

          Jesus told a story about two men: one who builds his house upon a rock and another who builds his house upon sand. I'm sure you know which house weathers the storm. Jesus calls this builder wise. But the house built on the sand collapses during the storm, and the builder is dubbed foolish.                            
          A good foundation is obvious, but its importance can't be overemphasized. The strength of a building lies in its foundation. The main purpose of the foundation is to hold the structure above it and keep it upright. 
          In this parable, Jesus gives us some wise words about the foundation of our lives: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7:24-27)
          Our life foundation is crucial. We will face some storms in this life.  Sometimes the pressure to heed the world's advice and turn away from God's words hits with hurricane force. Today's culture attacks believers like a storm.  At times, even our own feelings bombard us inwardly to do the opposite of God's will. 
          But despite these tensions, the wise person will follow God's words as a result of trust and thankfulness. God will bless the one whose life is built upon the Rock, Jesus Christ. As we grow in trust and obedience, He will anchor our "house" in Him so that we are able to weather the storms. It is God who grows our hope and faith.

1.    The wise man built his house upon the Rock,

The wise man built his house upon the Rock,

The wise man built his house upon the Rock,

And the rains came tumbling down.

The rains came down and the floods came up,

The rains came down and the floods came up,

The rains came down and the floods came up,

But the house on the Rock stood firm.

2.   The foolish man built his house upon the sand,

The foolish man built his house upon the sand,

The foolish man built his house upon the sand,

And the rains came tumbling down.

The rains came down and the floods came up,

The rains came down and the floods came up,

The rains came down and the floods came up,

And the house on the sand fell flat.

3.   So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,

So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,

So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,

And the blessings will come down.

The blessings come down as your prayers go up,

The blessings come down as your prayers go up,

The blessings come down as your prayers go up,

So build your life on the Lord.

Listen to it here.  FOUNDATION

WERE YOU THERE?

          Numerous times over the years I've tried unsuccessfully to write a blog about this hymn.  Each time I quit because I didn't know how to handle the questions "Were you there when …?"  After all, nobody alive today could have literally been there centuries ago.
          Actually I would not have wanted to be there to view the crucifixion.  Our Savior went through terrible pain and suffering.  It would have been very painful for me to watch all that He endured.  On the other hand, observing the resurrection would have been the thrill of a lifetime.  I also would have liked to walk with him and talk with Him on the road to Emmaus.
          Then I read in Isaiah the familiar verses, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." And there it was.  I was there.  He was carrying my sins and iniquities.  That was why He was there – for me … and for you.  And it does make me tremble when I feel the impact of what He went through for me. 
          This hymn is an African-American spiritual that was first printed in 1899. It was likely composed by enslaved African Americans in the 19th century. The song was first published in William Eleazar Barton's 1899 Old Plantation Hymns but was described in writings prior to this publication. In 1940, it was included in the Episcopal Church hymnal, making it the first spiritual to be included in any major American hymnal.
          Over the years many additional verses have been added but four basic ones are found in most publications.
          As annually we observe Easter seasons with family gatherings, special worship services and big meals, these can easily become just traditions with little meaning.  Let's use this hymn to remind us of the true meaning and impact of these events.  May they cause us to tremble, tremble, tremble!

 

1    Were you there when they

 crucified my Lord? 

Were you there when 

they crucified my Lord?

Oh, sometimes it causes me to

tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there when

they crucified my Lord?

2    Were you there when they

 nailed him to the tree? 

Were you there when they 

nailed him to the tree? 

Oh, sometimes it causes me to 

tremble, tremble, tremble,

Were you there when 

they 

nailed him to the tree? 

 

3    Were you there when they

 

laid him in the tomb? 

Were you there when they 

laid him in the tomb? 

Oh, sometimes it causes me to 

tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they 

laid him in the tomb? 

 

4    Were you there when God  

raised him from the tomb? 

Were you there when God 

raised him from the tomb? 

Oh, sometimes it causes me to 

tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there when God 

raised him from the tomb? 

Here are two other verses that can be found in some publications.

Were you there when they pierced him in the side? (Were you there?)
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?

Were you there when the sun refused to shine? (Were you there?)
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?

 

Listen to it here.  TREMBLE