I Cannot Tell

Representative Text

1 I cannot tell why he, whom angels worship,
should set his love upon the sons of men,
or why, as Shepherd, he should seek the wanderers,
to bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that he was born of Mary
when Bethl'em's manger was his only home,
and that he lived at Nazareth and laboured,
and so the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is come.

2 I cannot tell how silently he suffered,
as with his peace he graced this place of tears,
or how his heart upon the cross was broken,
the crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, he heals the broken-hearted
and stays our sin and calms our lurking fear
and lifts the burden from the heavy laden;
for still the Saviour, Saviour of the world is here.

3 I cannot tell how he will win the nations,
how he will claim his earthly heritage,
how satisfy the needs and aspirations
of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see his glory,
and he shall reap the harvest he has sown,
and some glad day his sun will shine in splendour
when he the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is known.

4 I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
when at his bidding every storm is stilled,
or who can say how great the jubilation
when every heart with love and joy is filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
and myriad myriad human voices sing,
and earth to heav'n, and heav'n to earth, will answer,
'at last the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is King!'

Source: Ancient and Modern: hymns and songs for refreshing worship #666

Author: W. Y. Fullerton

Rv William Young Fullerton United Kingdom 1857-1932. Born at Belfast, Northern Ireland, he was raised Presbyterian, but became a Baptist preacher, administrator, and writer. When a young man he was influenced by the preaching of evangelist, Charles Spurgeon, who became his friend and mentor. He became pastor of the Melbourne Hall Baptiest Church. Thousands of people came to Christ under his ministry. He was tall, but very a[pproachable and kind. Fullerton served as President of the Baptist Union and Home Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society. He spoke frequently at Keswick Conventions. He published works, including biographies of John Bunyan, Charles Spurgeon, James William Condell Fegan, and Frederick Brotherton Meyer. He… Go to person page >

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #2749
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Instances

Instances (1 - 21 of 21)

Anglican Hymns Old and New (Rev. and Enl.) #327

Hymns and Psalms #238

Audio

Small Church Music #294

Songs of Fellowship #205

The Book of Hymns (A fresh anthology of favourite hymns) #43

Worship His Majesty #169

Text

Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New #303

Text

Hymns for Today's Church (2nd ed.) #194

Hymns Old and New #226

Sing Glory #437

Singing the Faith #350

Text

Ancient and Modern #666

Text

Common Praise #54

Text

The Irish Presbyterian Hymbook #648

TextPage Scan

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #126

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #2749

TextPage Scan

Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal #255

TextPage Scan

Renew! Songs and Hymns for Blended Worship #160

Page Scan

The Covenant Hymnal #488

TextPage Scan

The Worshiping Church #109

Complete Mission Praise #266

Include 9 pre-1979 instances
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