Sweeter Sounds Than Music Knows

For Christmas

Words: John Newton (1725-1807), 1779

Source: John Newton, Olney Hymns. London: W. Oliver, 1779, Book II, Hymn #37.

Meter: 7,7,7,7

Praise for the incarnation.

1. Sweeter sounds than music knows
Charm me, in EMMANUEL’S name;
All her hopes my spirit owes
To his birth, and cross, and shame.

2. When he came the angels sang
“Glory be to GOD on high,”
Lord, unloose my stamm’ring tongue,
Who should louder sing than I.

3. Did the Lord a man become
That he might the law fulfil,
Bleed and suffer in my room,
And canst thou, my tongue, be still.

4. No, I must my praises bring,
Though they worthless are, and weak;
For should I refuse to sing
Sure the very stones would speak.

5. O my Savior, Shield, and Sun,
Shepherd, Brother, Husband, Friend,
Every precious name in one;
I will love thee without end.

Note:

Hymns on this site by John Newton:

• Amazing Grace

• Carol Of The Wheat And Tares (First Line: "Though in the outward church below")

• Let Hearts And Tongues Unite

• My Song Shall Bless The Lord Of All

• Now Let Us Join With Hearts And Tongues

• The Lord, Our Salvation And Light

• Sweeter Sounds Than Music Knows

• When A Black Overspreading Cloud

• While With Ceaseless Course The Sun

For more information, see:

CCEL, The Olney Hymns (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/newton/olneyhymns.html)

Rodney Canete, “The Olney Hymns by John Newton.” Brown University, 1997. (http://www.victorianweb.org/religion/hymns/olney.html)

Al Rogers, “Amazing Grace: The Story of John Newton” (http://www.anointedlinks.com/amazing_grace.html)

The Cyberhymnal, “John Newton” (http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/n/e/w/newton_j.htm)

All sites accessed February 17, 2007. All links open at an exterior site.

If you would like to help support Hymns and Carols of Christmas, please click on the button below and make a donation.

Related Hymns and Carols