The Christian Hymnary. Bks. 1-4 ‎#532

532. Have You Heard the Sobbing

1 Have you heard the sobbing of a thousand million souls,
Submerged in darkest heathen night?
Vainly groping for the way that leads to hope and peace,
They plead and wait for Gospel light.

Chorus:
A thousand million souls are dying,
A thousand million souls for whom the Saviour died.
Can you still deny their plea?
Can you longer idle be,
While a thousand million souls are dying?

2 Have you heard the sobbing of a thousand million souls,
By superstitious chains enslaved?
Can you longer be in diff'rent to their sad estate?
Thro' Jesus they can all be saved. [Chorus]

3 Can you hear the sobbing of a thousand million souls,
Who seek relief of heart in vain?
Let them have the blessed Gospel that can freedom give,
And rend the chains of sin in twain. [Chorus]

Text Information

• First Line: Have you heard the sobbing of a thousand million souls
• Title: Have You Heard the Sobbing
• Author: Haldor Lillenas, b. 1855
• Refrain First Line: A thousand million souls are dying
• Meter: 13.8.13.8. with Ref.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1972
• Scripture:
  Matthew 4:19
• Topic: Book One: Hymns, Songs, Chorales; Commission: Call for Laborers
• Copyright: Copyright 1923. Renewed 1951 by Lillenas Publishing Co. Used by permission.
• Notes: Now Public Domain; And He saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Mt. 4:19.

Tune Information

• Name: [Have you heard the sobbing of a thousand million souls]
• Composer: Haldor Lillenas
• Meter: 13.8.13.8. with Ref.
• Incipit: 55171 23217 6155
• Key: A♭ Major
• Copyright: Copyright 1923. Renewed 1951 by Lillenas Publishing Co. Used by permission.
• Notes: Now Public Domain. M.M. 63