The Cyber Hymnal ‎#381

381. Blest Be the Tie That Binds

1. Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

2. Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one
Our comforts and our cares.

3. We share each other’s woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

4. When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

5. This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.

6. From sorrow, toil and pain,
And sin, we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity.

Text Information

• First Line: Blest be the tie that binds
• Title: Blest Be the Tie That Binds
• Author: John Fawcett (1782)
• Language: English
• Source: Hymns Adapted to the Circumstance of Public Worship (Leeds, England: 1782)
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Dr. John Fawcett was the pastor of a small church at Wainsgate, and was called from there to a larger church in London in 1772. He accepted the call and preached his farewell sermon. The wagons were loaded with his books and furniture, and all was ready for the departure, when his parishioners gathered around him, and with tears in their eyes begged of him to stay. His wife said, Oh John, John, I cannot bear this. Neither can I, exclaimed the good pastor, and we will not go. Unload the wagons and put everything as it was before. His decision was hailed with great joy by his people, and he wrote the words of this hymn in commemoration of the event. This song, and God be with you until we meet again, are the most useful farewell hymns in the world. Sankey, p. 123. This hymn was sung in the 1940 movie "Our Town," which was nominated for several Academy Awards. Alternate tune: BOYLSTON, Low­ell Ma­son, 1832

Tune Information

• Name: DENNIS
• Composer: Johann G. Nägeli, 1773-1836
• Arranger: Lowell Mason
• Incipit: 33132 72116 11517
• Key: F Major
• Source: The Psaltery, 1845
• Copyright: Public Domain