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I cannot tell if short or long

Representative Text

1 I cannot tell if short or long
My earthly journey be;
But, all the way, I know thy rod
And staff will comfort me.

2 Though fierce temptations lie in wait,
What need have I to care?
Thou wilt not suffer them to hurt
Beyond my strength to bear.

3 What storms may beat, what burdens fall,
My soul would not avoid;
Who follows thee, O Lord, may be
Cast down, but not destroyed.

4 Though over steep and rugged ways
My weary feet be brought,
Still following where thy footprints lead,
I take no anxious thought.

5 Oh, perfect peace! oh, endless rest!
No care, no vain alarms;
Beneath my every cross I find
The Everlasting Arms.

Source: Laudes Domini: a selection of spiritual songs, ancient and modern for use in the prayer-meeting #453

Author: H. O. Knowlton

Knowlton, H. 0. Duffield notes under her hymn, "I cannot tell if short or long" (Trust), in Laudes Domini, 1884, that "Miss Knowlton was a school-girl in Illinois at the time of its composition. Professor W. F. Sherwin received it from her through the good offices of one of her teachers, a mutual friend " (English Hymns, 1886, p. 238). --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)  Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: I cannot tell if short or long
Author: H. O. Knowlton
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

TRUST (Sherwin)


ST. AGNES (Dykes)

John B. Dykes (PHH 147) composed ST. AGNES for [Jesus the Very Thought of Thee]. Dykes named the tune after a young Roman Christian woman who was martyred in A.D. 304 during the reign of Diocletian. St. Agnes was sentenced to death for refusing to marry a nobleman to whom she said, "I am already eng…

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Timeline

Instances in all hymnals

Instances (1 - 9 of 9)
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A Selection of Spiritual Songs #189

Gospel Song Series No. 1 #d12

Hymnal of the Evangelical Church. Word ed. #d293

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Immanuel Hymnal #355

TextPage Scan

Laudes Domini #463

TextPage Scan

Laudes Domini #885

TextPage Scan

Laudes Domini #453

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The Coronation Hymnal #192

Page Scan

The New Laudes Domini #932

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