The Cyber Hymnal ‎#2967

2967. I Need Thee Every Hour

1. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

Refrain
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh. [Refrain]

3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain. [Refrain]

4. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill. [Refrain]

5. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord
• Title: I Need Thee Every Hour
• Author: Annie Sherwood Hawks (1872)
• Refrain First Line: I need Thee, O I need Thee
• Language: English
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Annie S. Hawks, 1872: "One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy with my regular household tasks. Suddenly, I became so filled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him, either in joy or pain, these words, I Need Thee Every Hour, were ushered into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me....I did not understand at first why this hymn had touched the great throbbing heart of humanity. It was not until long after, when the shadow fell over my way, the shadow of a great loss, that I understood something of the comforting power in the words which I had been permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace." After writing the lyrics, Hawks gave them to her pastor, Robert Lowry, who added the tune and refrain. The hymn was first published for the National Baptist Sunday School Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, in November 1872.

Tune Information

• Name: [I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord]
• Composer: Robert Lowry
• Incipit: 13217 11121 65523
• Key: A♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain