Cana (Oliver Holden)

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• (Posted 2015-02-08)  CPDL #34515: 

Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2015-02-08).   Score information: Letter, 1 page, 30 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: Oval note edition. Six more stanzas from Watts' hymn added below.

• (Posted 2015-02-08)  CPDL #34516: 

Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2015-02-08).   Score information: Unknown, 1 page, 49 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: Note shapes added (4-shape). Six more stanzas from Watts' hymn added below.

General Information

Title: Cana
First Line: Why is my heart so far from Thee
Composer: Oliver Holden
Lyricist: Isaac Watts

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB

Genre: Sacred, Hymn   Meter: 86. 86 (C.M.)

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

Published: 1803

Description: Published in The Charlestown Collection, 1803, p. 63. Words by Isaac Watts, 1709, his Hymn 20 of Book 2.

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Original text and translations

English text

Why is my heart so far from Thee, My God, my chief delight? Why are my thoughts no more by day With Thee, no more by night? Why should my foolish passions rove? Where can such sweetness be As I have tasted in Thy love, As I have found in Thee? When my forgetful soul renews The savor of thy grace, My heart presumes I cannot lose The relish all my days. But ere one fleeting hour is passed, The flatt'ring world employs Some sensual bait to seize my taste, And to pollute my joys. Trifles of nature or of art, With fair, deceitful charms, Intrude into my thoughtless heart, And thrust me from Thy arms.

Then I repent, and vex my soul That I should leave Thee so: Where will those wild affections roll That let a Savior go? Sin's promised joys are turned to pain, And I am drowned in grief; But my dear Lord returns again, He flies to my relief. Seizing my soul with sweet surprise, He draws with loving bands Divine compassion in His eyes, And pardon in His hands. Wretch that I am, to wander thus In chase of false delight! Let me be fastened to Thy cross, Rather than lose thy sight. Make haste, my days, to reach the goal, And bring my heart to rest On the dear center of my soul, My God, my Savior's breast.