The Backslider

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Sad and lonely, weak and weary, Down life's rugged path I roam

Author: C. E. Orr; Author (refrain): Andrew L. Byers
Tune: [Sad and lonely, weak and weary] (Byers)
Published in 4 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Sad and lonely, weak and weary,
Down life’s rugged path I roam;
Heart is bleeding, soul is weeping,
Seeking rest and finding none;
Father, once I dearly loved Thee,
In the happy days of yore,
But of love this world has robbed me,
Shall I never love Thee more?

Refrain:
O backslider, there is pardon,
Christ will save you from your sin,
Fill your yearning heart with gladness,
And receive you back again;
Come, oh, come, then, to the Savior,
Cast your doubts and fears away,
Plunge into the healing fountain,
There to save your soul today.

2 Here’s a withered flow’r and faded,
Emblem of my lonely heart,
Once so full of love and duty,
Now lies crushed by human art;
Father, once my prayers were answered,
In the happy days of yore,
When in faith and love I sought Thee,
Wilt Thou never hear me more? [Refrain]

3 Life’s a burden, Lord, without Thee,
Peace I nevermore can know,
All this world a sea of trouble,
All a wilderness of woe;
Father, leaving all, I seek Thee,
Plead once more to be forgiv’n;
Wash away my sins and sorrows,
Father, give me hope of heav’n. [Refrain]

Source: Timeless Truths #466

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Author: C. E. Orr

(no biographical information available about C. E. Orr.) Go to person page >

Author (refrain): Andrew L. Byers

Andrew Linnaeus Byers was born on August 26, 1869 in Albany, Illinois. Byers’ mother was song writer Nancy Byers. In 1890 he became involved with Daniel Warner & Barney Warren in evangelistic work; later joined the Gospel Trumpet publishing company as music editor for a year. He left that work because of health problems and worked as an evangelist and pastor in Idaho & Oregon before taking a pastorate in Sacramento, California, in 1934. He died on November 9, 1952 in Sacramento, California. His works include: Birth of a Reformation: The Life and Labors of D. S. Warner, 1922 NN, Hymnary. Go to person page >

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First Line:	Sad and lonely, weak and weary, Down life's rugged path I roam
Title:	The Backslider
Author:	C. E. Orr
Author (refrain):	Andrew L. Byers
Meter:	8.7.8.7 D with refrain
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	O backslider there is pardon
Copyright:	Public Domain