[Lord, I want to be a Christian]

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[Lord, I want to be a Christian]

Published in 103 hymnals

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FlexScore
	Lord, I Want to Be a Christian

Piano/Organ
	All Things Bright and Beautiful (Hymns,…

Choral
	Lord, I Want to Be a Christian

Tune Information

Title:	[Lord, I want to be a Christian]
Meter:	8.3.3.8.3 with refrain
Incipit:	11335 32111 35653
Key:	D Major
Source:	African American spiritual
Copyright:	Public Domain

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Texts

Lord, I Want to Be a Christian

Lord, I want to be a Christian
in my heart, in my heart.
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.

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Notes

Both text and tune were first published in Folk Songs of the American Negro (1907), compiled by brothers Frederick Work and John W. Work, Jr. (PHH 476). This music is an example of the slow, sustained, long-phrased tune found in a number of African American spirituals. In the manner of many such spirituals, this is a call-and-response song, in which a soloist (or choir in unison) sings the stanzas (first two lines) and everyone responds by singing the chorus (last two lines) in four-part harmony. The soloist's lines could be sung rather freely, and the rest in more regular rhythm, but not fast. This music is intended to be reverent, with little, if any, accompaniment (perhaps piano).

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988

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Timeline

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Piano/Organ All Things Bright and Beautiful (Hymns, Spirituals and Gospel Songs for Solo Piano) Spiritual Suite God's Big Family - Songbook with P/A CD (Joyful Year-Round Anthems for Unison or Two-Part Children’s Voices) More Piano/Organ...
Choral Lord, I Want to Be a Christian ESSENTIAL COLLECTION FOR THE CHURCH SOLOIST, THE LORD, I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN More Choral...
Instrumental SOUND THE TRUMPET: Hymns & Spirituals for Trumpet & Piano More Instrumental...
Handbells FIVE-BY-FIVE Ring for Joy! – Volume 2 (Easy Reproducible Hymn Medleys for Prayer and Rejoicing) Songs of Praise Now Let Us Ring (Creative Medleys of Praise and Worship Songs Blended with Traditional Hymn Tunes) More Handbells...
PowerPoint LORD, I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN (Renew 145) LORD, I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN (United Methodist 402) LORD, I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN (Trinity Hymnal 530) More PowerPoint...

Harmonizations, Introductions, Descants, Intonations

The Creative Use of the Piano in Worship: The Creative Church Musucian Series - Volume 8
Composer/Editor Hal H. Hopson
Published By: Hope Publishing Company (2008) pp. 87
Let It Rip! At the Piano: Congregational Song Accompaniments
Composer/Editors Norma Aamodt-Nelson; Eric Vollen
Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2000) pp. 98
Free Harmonizations of Hymn Tunes: Volume II
Composer/Editor D. DeWitt Wasson
Published By: Hinshaw Music, Inc. (1986) pp. 154
Short Hymn-Tune Arrangements for Organ: Including Two Essays: Basic Organ Technique and Choosing a Church Organ
Composer/Editor Philip K. Clemens
Published By: Mennonite Publishing House (1983) pp. 12
Hymn Concepts for Organ & Choir: Announcements, Interludes, Descants & Free Accompaniments
Composer/Editor Hal H. Hopson
Published By: Carl Fischer, Inc. (1978) pp. 10
No Cover; Tornado Damaged; Organ: Stamp Yvonne Barnes
Composer/Editor Gordon Young
Published By: Harold Flammer Music Publishers Incorporated (1977) pp. 21

Organ Solo

The Organist's Companion Volume 44 Number 5 July August 2022 General, Weddings, Patriotic, Communion: A Bi-monthly Journal of Quality Organ Music for the Practical Church Musician
Composer/Editors Wayne Leupold; Anthony Giamanco
Published By: Leupold Foundation (2022) pp. 5
The Organist's Companion Volume 43 Number 5 July 2021 General, Weddings, Patriotic, Communion: A Bi-monthly Journal of Quality Organ Music for the Practical Church Musician
Composer/Editors Wayne Leupold; Roy L. Belfield, Jr.
Published By: Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. (2021) pp. 22
In Peace and Joy: Organ Settings of Beloved Hymns
Composer/Editors Victor C. Johnson; Douglas E. Wagner
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2020) pp. 13
Immortal, Invisible: Four Organ Solos
Composer/Editor Mathew H. Corl
Published By: MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. (2016) pp. 8
Easy Organ Library Volume 55
Composer/Editor Dan R. Edwards
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2014) pp. 80
The Organist's Library Volume 56
Composer/Editor Mary McDonald
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2014) pp. 47
Hymn Tunes A to Z: 38 Organ Settings for Worship or Recital
Composer/Editors Douglas E. Wagner; Mary McDonald
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 10
The Organ Portfolio Volume 76 Number 3 January February 2013: The Service Music Anthology for the Church Organist
Composer/Editors Douglas E. Wagner; Robert J. Powell
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 20
The Organ Portfolio Volume 77 Number 2 November December 2013: The Service Music Anthology for the Church Organist
Composer/Editors Douglas E. Wagner; Mary McDonald
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 13
The Organist Volume 117 Number 3 July August 2013: The Service Music Companion for Church Organists
Composer/Editors Douglas E. Wagner; Dan R. Edwards
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 12
The Organist's Library Volume 54
Composer/Editor Robert J. Powell
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 88
The Organist's Library Volume 54: Moderately Difficult
Composer/Editor Robert J. Powell
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 88
Grace Notes XI
Composer/Editor Timothy Albrecht
Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2004) pp. 24
I'll Praise My Maker: Improvisations for Worship
Composer/Editor J. Wayne Kerr
Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2003) pp. 14
PedalPoint Volume 19 Number 2 January February March 2000: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Scott D. Oyer
Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (2000) pp. 33
The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 35 Number 1 September October 2000: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
Composer/Editors Mark Barnard; Gilbert M. Martin
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2000) pp. 13
The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 35 Number 1 September October 2000: The Organist's Companion for the Church Year
Composer/Editors Mark Barnard; Gilbert M. Martin
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2000) pp. 13
The Easy Organ Collection: Hymn Settings for Organ
Composer/Editors Mark Barnard; Brian Glyncannon
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1998) pp. 28
Just As I Am and Other Lenten Hymns for Organ
Composer/Editors Eugene McCluskey; Brian Glyncannon
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1996) pp. 14
The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 31 Number 1 September 1996: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
Composer/Editors James Mansfield; Sarah Douglas
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1996) pp. 15
Favorite Spirituals: For Organ
Composer/Editors Dorothy Wells; Brian Glyncannon
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1993) pp. 12
Spirituals for Keyboard
Composer/Editor Charles Callahan
Published By: MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. (1993) pp. 6
Discoveries for Organ: Prelukdes, Postludes & Offertories
Composer/Editor Phillip Keveren
Published By: Woodland Music Press (1991) pp. 32
John Ness Beck Favorites for Organ: Seven Hymn Settings Transcribed by Janet Linker
Composer/Editors Janet Linker; John Ness Beck
Published By: Beckenhorst Press, Inc. (1990) pp. 16
Spirituals for Organ
Composer/Editor Olive Nelson Russell
Published By: Belwin-Mills Publishing Corporation (1990) pp. 6
Emergency Organ Book Volume Three: For All Occasions
Composer/Editors Dorothy Wells; Brian Glyncannon
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1989) pp. 90
Three Organ Hymn Preludes
Composer/Editor J. Wayne Kerr
Published By: H. T. FitzSimons Company (1988) pp. 6
Easy Gospel Favorites for the Organ
Composer/Editor Eugene McCluskey
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1986) pp. 44
The Organist Volume 86 Number 6 January 1983: A Bi-Monthly Publication for Church Organists
Composer/Editors James Mansfield; Brian Glyncannon
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1986) pp. 26
The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 20 Number 1 September 1985: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
Composer/Editors Howard Wells; Fred B. Binckes
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1985) pp. 17
Short Hymn-Tune Arrangements for Organ: Including Two Essays: Basic Organ Technique and Choosing a Church Organ
Composer/Editor Philip K. Clemens
Published By: Mennonite Publishing House (1983) pp. 12-14
Be Thou My Vision: Ten Hymn Meditations for Organ
Composer/Editor Albin C. Whitworth
Published By: Beckenhorst Press, Inc. (1982) pp. 20
The Amateur Organist No. 92: A Collection of Organ Voluntaries for Church Use
Composer/Editor Brian Glyncannon
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1982) pp. 26
The Amateur Organist Number 92: A Collection of Organ Voluntaries for Church Use
Composer/Editor Brian Glyncannon
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1982) pp. 26
Organist's Choice for Worship and Recital: Voluntaries, Preludes, Hymn Accompaniments, Organ/Piano Duets
Composer/Editors Herbert Colvin; Fred Bock; Richard Irven Purvis; Gordon Young; Richard Ellsasser; Kurt Kaiser
Published By: Word Music Group, LLC (1980) pp. 108
The Diane Bish Organ Book Volume 1: New Settings of Favorite Hymns
Composer/Editor Diane Joyce Bish
Published By: Fred Bock Music Company (1980) pp. 18
O Worship the King: Hymn and Chorale Settings for the Organ
Composer/Editor Raymond H. Haan
Published By: Broadman Press (1979) pp. 29
Pass It On: Gospel Songs for Organ
Composer/Editor Herbert Colvin
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1977) pp. 27
Spirituals and Folk Tunes: Go Tell It On the Mountain
Composer/Editor Gordon Young
Published By: Harold Flammer Music Publishers Incorporated (1977) pp. 21
Spirituals and Folk Tunes: With Hammond Registrations by John Innes
Composer/Editor Gordon Young
Published By: Hope Publishing Company (1977) pp. 21
The Organist's Collection of: Favorite Gospel Songs Number 3
Composer/Editor Robert J. Hughes
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1972) pp. 20
The Organist Volume 74 Number 3 July 1970: A Bi-Monthly Publication for Church Organists
Composer/Editors Roger C. Wilson; Robert J. Hughes
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1970) pp. 44
Five Spirituals for Organ
Composer/Editor Richard Warner
Published By: Shawnee Press, Inc. (1967) pp. 10

Piano Solo

What Can I Play on Sunday? Complete Collection: 610 Easily Prepared Piano Arrangements for Services throughout the Year
Composer/Editor Cindy Berry
Published By: Alfred Music Publishing Company, Inc. (2013) pp. 28
Sketches in Ivory: Sacred Arrangements for Piano
Composer/Editor Brad Nix
Published By: Shawnee Press, Inc. (2012) pp. 26
The Church Pianist Volume 27 Number 3 January February 2011: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
Composer/Editors Larry F. Pugh; Gregg Sewell
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2011) pp. 99
Prayludes for Summer: Flexible Piano Medleys for Trinity Sunday, National Holidays and General Use
Composer/Editor Ruth Elaine Schram
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2010) pp. 17
My Jesus, I Love Thee: Devotional Hymns for the Journey of Faith
Composer/Editor Victor Labenske
Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (2007) pp. 9
What Can I Play on Sunday? Book 1: January & February Services: 10 Easily Prepared Piano Arrangements
Composer/Editor Cindy Berry
Published By: Alfred Music Publishing Company, Inc. (2006) pp. 26
The Church Pianist Volume 20 Number 1 September October 2003: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
Composer/Editors David Sarandon; Eugene Butler
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2003) pp. 6
The Church Pianist Volume 18 Number 5 May June 2002: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
Composer/Editor David Sarandon
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2002) pp. 24
PedalPoint Volume 19 Number 2 January February March 2000: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Scott D. Oyer
Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (2000) pp. 33
Inspirational Treasures: Instrumental Favorite Hymns
Composer/Editor Gary Prim
Published By: Combs Music International (1999) pp. 73
What Wondrous Love: Songs of Praise for Piano
Composer/Editor Lynette Maynard
Published By: GlorySound (1999) pp. 18
Hymnproviser 2 (Piano Series): Solos of Meditation & Worship
Composer/Editors Shelly Hamilton; Flora Jean Garlock
Published By: Majesty Music, Inc. (1997) pp. 17
Spirituals for Piano Solo: 15 Inspirational Favorites
Composer/Editor Kurt Kaiser
Published By: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation (1997) pp. 26
Lord, Lift Me Up: For Piano
Composer/Editors Beverly Steele Gaia; Michael Cox
Published By: Genevox Music Group (1990) pp. 2
PedalPoint Volume 9 Number 4 July August September 1990: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Donna Williams
Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (1990) pp. 10
Spirituals for Piano
Composer/Editor John Carter
Published By: Hope Publishing Company (1990) pp. 12
The Church Pianist Volume 4 Number 6 July 1988: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
Composer/Editors Hugh S. Livingston, Jr.; Robert J. Hughes
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1988) pp. 28
Images of Praise: Hymn Arrangements for the Piano
Composer/Editor Don Phillips
Published By: Genevox Music Group (1987) pp. 8
PedalPoint Volume 3 Number 2 January February March 1984: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Michael D. Sharp
Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (1984) pp. 26
Spirituals at the Piano: Beloved Melodies Arranged by Peggy Tolson
Composer/Editor Peggy Tolson
Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (1969) pp. 15

Piano and Organ Duet

Hymns & Spiritual Songs: 10 Duets for Organ and Piano
Composer/Editors James Pethel; Stan Pethel
Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (2021) pp. 52
My Faith Looks Up to Thee: Meditative Duets for Organ and Piano
Composer/Editor Albin C. Whitworth
Published By: GlorySound (1987) pp. 4
PedalPoint Volume 5 Number 4 July August September 1986: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Todd Billingsley
Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (1986) pp. 28

Voices: Piano, Instrument and Voices

Spiritual Suite: Traditional Spirituals
Composer/Editor Joseph Joubert
Published By: Hindon Publications, Inc. (1995) pp. 13

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Baptist Hymnal 1991 #489

Text: Lord, I Want to Be a Christian

Bulletin Score (PDF)
Full Score (PDF)
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Christian Classics Ethereal Hymnary #322

Four-part harmony, full-score (PDF, NWC)

The Cyber Hymnal #4088

Text: Lord, I Want to Be a Christian

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Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #264

Text: Lord, I Want to Be a Christian

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Worship and Rejoice #457

Text: Lord, I Want to Be a Christian

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Voices Together (2020), p.578

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