1 If we follow Jesus closely, we shall always have a friend
To comfort us when waves of trouble roll;
He will never disappoint us; on his love we may depend;
And there’ll always be a song within the soul.
Refrain:
Yes, a song,
“O happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away;”
And no matter what betide us, if the loving Saviour guide us
we will always have this song within the soul.
2 If we follow Jesus closely, we shall conquer every foe;
His love will ever keep us free and whole;
Tho’ at times the way be dreary, bravely forward we shall go,
For there’ll always be a song within the soul. [Refrain]
3 If we follow Jesus closely every day, we shall not fail
To reach at last the brightly glowing goal;
Death for us will have no terror; we shall journey thro’ the vale
With a thrilling song of gladness in the soul. [Refrain]
Source: The Old Story in Song Number Two #34
Pseudonym: James S. Apple.
James Rowe was born in England in 1865. He served four years in the Government Survey Office, Dublin Ireland as a young man. He came to America in 1890 where he worked for ten years for the New York Central & Hudson R.R. Co., then served for twelve years as superintendent of the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society. He began writing songs and hymns about 1896 and was a prolific writer of gospel verse with more than 9,000 published hymns, poems, recitations, and other works.
Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company, 1916) Go to person page >
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