O’er Waiting Harpstrings (Christ My Refuge)
Philip Newman
- Composer:
- Philip Newman
- Lyricist:
- Mary Baker Eddy
- Publisher:
- SLVivace
- Instrumentation:
- Organ/Vocal
- Key:
- C
- Vocal Range:
- Medium
- Vocal Pitch Range:
- D4 - E5 (F#5)
- MP3 Duration:
- 02:50
Dramatic and expressive. Difficult with many accidentals and timing changes. For the sophisticated congregation and accomplished musicians.
Lyrics
Christ My Refuge
Music: Philip E. Newman
Words Mary Baker Eddy, Poems, p. 12
O’er waiting harpstrings of the mind
There sweeps a strain,
Low, sad, and sweet, whose measures bind
The power of pain,
And wake a white-winged angel throng
Of thoughts, illumed
By faith, and breathed in raptured song,
With love perfumed.
Then His unveiled, sweet mercies show
Life’s burdens light.
I kiss the cross, and wake to know
A world more bright.
And o’er earth’s troubled, angry sea
I see Christ walk,
And come to me, and tenderly,
Divinely talk.
Thus Truth engrounds me on the rock,
Upon Life’s shore,
‘Gainst which the winds and waves can shock,
Oh, nevermore!
From tired joy and grief afar,
And nearer Thee,
Father, where Thine own children are,
I love to be.
My prayer, some daily good to do
To Thine, for Thee;
An offering pure of Love, whereto
God leadeth me.
Music: © 1975 Philip E. Newman and © 2001 Anabel P. Newman
Words used courtesy of The Mary Baker Eddy Collection