You help make Hymnary.org possible.

In 2025, more than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources, and encouragement here. If Hymnary has meant something to you this year, would you take a moment to help sustain it? A gift of any size — and a note of encouragement, if you'd like to share one — directly supports the server costs, research, and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org (c/o Calvin University)
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for being part of this important online ministry resource.

146. Why Have Ye Done This?

1 Why have you wandered from Jesus so long,
List’ning, unmoved, to the gospel’s sweet song,
Slighting his mercy, so tender and true,
Wounding the heart that was broken for you?

Refrain:
Why have ye done this? why, oh, why?
Jesus is waiting to hear your reply;
Why will you longer his goodness deny,
Why, oh, why?

2 Why are you building on treacherous sand,
When on the Rock he invites you to stand?
Why in the desert have hungered for bread,
When he is calling, “come now, and be fed?” [Refrain]

3 Why in the bondage of Satan remain,
When Christ is able to break every chain?
Why further stray from the Father’s bright home?
Hasten to meet him, and nevermore roam. [Refrain]

Text Information
First Line: Why have you wandered from Jesus so long
Title: Why Have Ye Done This?
Author: E. E. Hewitt
Refrain First Line: Why have ye done this? why, oh, why
Publication Date: 1897
Notes: Public Domain.
Tune Information
Name: [Why have you wandered from Jesus so long]
Composer: Jno. R. Sweney
Notes: Public Domain.



Media
MIDI file: MIDI

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.