Over the Line

O tender and sweet was the Father's voice

Author: Ellen Knight Bradford
Tune: [O tender and sweet was the Master's voice] (Phelps)
Published in 38 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Oh, tender and sweet was the Father’s voice
As He lovingly called to me,
“Come over the line, it is only a step—
I’m waiting, My child, for thee.”

Refrain 1-3:
“Over the line,” hear the sweet refrain,
Angels are chanting the heavenly strain;
“Over the line!”—Why should I remain
With a step between me and Jesus?

2 “But my sins are many, my faith is small”;
Lo! the answer came quick and clear:
“Thou needest not trust in thyself at all,
Step over the line, I’m here.” [Refrain]

3 “But my flesh is feeble,” with tears I said,
“And the way I cannot see;
I fear if I try I may sadly fail,
And thus may dishonor Thee.” [Refrain]

4 The world is so cold that I cannot go back,
Press forward I surely must;
I’ll lay my weak hand in His wounded palm,
Step over the line, and trust.

Refrain 4:
“Over the line,” hear the sweet refrain,
Angels are chanting the heavenly strain;
“Over the line!”—I will not remain,
I’ll cross it and go to Jesus.

The Gospel in Song, 1926 (Timeless Truths)

Author: Ellen Knight Bradford

Author, poet, was born in Ypsilanti, Mich. NN Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: O tender and sweet was the Father's voice
Title: Over the Line
Author: Ellen Knight Bradford
Meter: 10.7.10.7.9.10.9.8
Language: English
Refrain First Line: Over the line, hear the sweet refrain
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #5487
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)
Timeless Truths #605
  • Over_the_Line.pdf (PDF)

Instances

Instances (1 - 38 of 38)
Page Scan

Alleluia #153

Christ in Song #d422

TextPage Scan

Christ in Song #9

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Christian Endeavor Edition of Sacred Songs No. 1 #217

Cross and Crown Hymnal, 3rd ed. #d309

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Evangelistic Songs #57

Page Scan

Favorite Solos #59

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Fellowship Hymns #116

Page Scan

Gospel Hymns No. 3 #26

AudioPage Scan

Gospel Hymns No. 5 #196

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Gospel Hymns Nos. 1 to 6 #612

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Gospel Hymns Nos. 5 and 6 Combined #196

Harp of Zion #d67

Popular Hymns No. 3 #d151

Popular Hymns, revised #233

Praises #d64

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Redemption Songs #264

Page Scan

Sabbath Bells #84

Page Scan

Sacred Songs & Solos #383

Sacred Songs and Solos #383

Sacred Songs for Church and Home #d367

Page Scan

Sacred Songs No. 1 #217

Page Scan

Service Hymnal #238

Page Scan

Songs for Army and Navy #95

Page Scan

Songs for the Sunday School #34

Soothing Songs #d21

Spiritual Songs and Hymns, for Use in All Gospel Services #d422

Sweetest Melodies #16

Page Scan

The Army and Navy Hymnal #196

The Baptist Hymn and Praise Book #d368

Page Scan

The Baptist Standard Hymnal #238

Page Scan

The Church Hymnal #570

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #5487

Page Scan

The Gospel in Song #84

Page Scan

The Great Awakening #122

The People's Praise Book or Carmina Sanctorum #d458

Page Scan

The Service Song Book #62

TextAudio

Timeless Truths #605

Exclude 36 pre-1979 instances
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