This is a classic gospel hymn by Philip P. Bliss. In Ira Sankey’s Sacred Songs and Solos, Jn 6:63 is quoted: “..the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
There is also an interesting story from George Stebbins: “I carried that song through two seasons of evangelistic work, never thinking it possessed much merit, or that it had the element of special usefulness, particularly for solo purpos es. It occurred to me to try it one day du ing the campaign in New Haven, [Connecticut, 1878] and, with the help of Mrs. Stebbins, we sang it as a duet. To our surprise the song was received with the greatest enthusiasm and from that time on to the close of the meetings was the favourite of all the hymns used. As an illustration of the hold it got up on the people all about that section of the country, I received a letter from the Secretary of the Connecticut State Sunday School Association offering me what seemed an absurdly large sum of money, if I would, with Mrs. Stebbins, come to the State Convention and sing that one song.”
Lyrics and Music: Philip P. Bliss
Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.
Refrain:
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life,
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Christ, the blessed One, gives to all wonderful words of life;
Sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life;
All so freely given, wooing us to heaven.
Sweetly echo the Gospel call, wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior, sanctify us forever.
May the words of the Lord Jesus speak to us.
There is also very interesting YouTube version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeyzzIGkoOs
Notice how the hymn is deliberately slowed down at the last stanza and refrain.
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