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[Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land]

Appears in 2 hymnals Composer and/or Arranger: Jno. R. Sweney Incipit: 55551 23115 61216 Used With Text: My Rock

Author: James L. Black Appears in 3 hymnals First Line: Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land Refrain First Line: Under thy shadow what joy to rest Lyrics: 1 Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land, Whose shadow by faith I see; And oh, how sweet, from the noontide heat When weary, to rest in thee. Refrain: Under thy shadow what joy to rest; Under thy shadow when toil-oppressed; Under thy shadow, supremely blest, O Rock in a thirsty land. 2 Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land, Where peaceful my soul may dwell; And cool and clear are the streams I hear That flow from the wayside well. [Refrain] 3 Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land, A Rock of defence for me; No thought of ill can my spirit fill, While firm is my trust in thee. [Refrain] 4 Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land, Where safely thou bidst me hide, Till angels come from my Father’s throne, And carry me o’er the tide. [Refrain] Used With Tune: [Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land]

Instances

Published text-tune combinations (hymns) from specific hymnals

My Rock

Author: James L. Black Hymnal: Joyful Sound #40 (1889) First Line: Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land Refrain First Line: Under thy shadow what joy to rest Lyrics: 1 Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land, Whose shadow by faith I see; And oh, how sweet, from the noontide heat When weary, to rest in thee. Refrain: Under thy shadow what joy to rest; Under thy shadow when toil-oppressed; Under thy shadow, supremely blest, O Rock in a thirsty land. 2 Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land, Where peaceful my soul may dwell; And cool and clear are the streams I hear That flow from the wayside well. [Refrain] 3 Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land, A Rock of defence for me; No thought of ill can my spirit fill, While firm is my trust in thee. [Refrain] 4 Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land, Where safely thou bidst me hide, Till angels come from my Father’s throne, And carry me o’er the tide. [Refrain] Languages: English Tune Title: [Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land]

My Rock

Author: James L. Black Hymnal: Sacred Trio #216 (1889) First Line: Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land Refrain First Line: Under thy shadow what joy to rest Tune Title: [Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land]

People

Authors, composers, editors, etc.

John R. Sweney

1837 - 1899 Person Name: Jno. R. Sweney Composer of "[Thou art a Rock in a thirsty land]" in Joyful Sound John R. Sweney (1837-1899) was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and exhibited musical abilities at an early age. At nineteen he was studying with a German music teacher, leading a choir and glee club, and performing at children’s entertainments. By twenty-two he was teaching at a school in Dover, Delaware. Soon thereafter, he was put in charge of the band of the Third Delaware Regiment of the Union Army for the duration of the Civil War. After the war, he became Professor of Music at the Pennsylvania Military Academy, and director of Sweney’s Cornet Band. He eventually earned Bachelor and Doctor of Music degrees at the Academy. Sweney began composing church music in 1871 and became well-known as a leader of large congregations. His appreciators stated “Sweney knows how to make a congregation sing” and “He had great power in arousing multitudes.” He also became director of music for a large Sunday school at the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia of which John Wanamaker was superintendent (Wanamaker was the founder of the first major department store in Philadelphia). In addition to his prolific output of hymn melodies and other compositions, Sweney edited or co-edited about sixty song collections, many in collaboration with William J. Kirkpatrick. Sweney died on April 10, 1899, and his memorial was widely attended and included a eulogy by Wanamaker. Joe Hickerson from "Joe's Jottings #9" used by permission