Ancient and Modern ‎#616

616. Come, O thou Traveller unknown

1 Come, O thou Traveller unknown,
whom still I hold, but cannot see;
my company before is gone,
and I am left alone with thee;
with thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day.

2 I need not tell thee who I am,
my misery or sin declare;
thyself hast called me by my name;
look on thy hands, and read it there!
But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.

3 In vain thou strugglest to get free;
I never will unloose my hold.
Art thou the man that died for me?
The secret of thy love unfold:
wrestling, I will not let thee go,
till I thy name, thy nature know.

4 Yield to me now, for I am weak,
but confident in self-despair;
speak to my heart, in blessings speak,
be conquered by my instant prayer.
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love!

5 'Tis Love!'tis Love! Thou diedst for me!
I hear thy whisper in my heart!
The morning breaks, the shadows flee;
pure universal Love thou art:
to me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.

Text Information

• First Line: Come, O thou Traveller unknown
• Author: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
• Meter: 88 88 88
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2013
• Scripture:
  Genesis 32:24-30
• Topic: God: in mystery; God: Love of; God: names and images of; Perseverance; The Second Sunday of Lent: Year C

Tune Information

• Name: DAVID'S HARP
• Composer: Robert King (1676-1713)
• Meter: 88 88 88
• Key: D Major
• Source: The Divine Companion, 1709