In the Garden (And He Walks with Me)

This is a Gospel song which is sometimes called "I Come to the Garden Alone". It is based on John 20 - when Mary Magdalene first sees the risen Jesus.

It was was written by American pharmacist turned songwriter C. Austin Miles (1868–1946), and was first published in 1912. Therefore it is now in the public domain in many parts of the USA, and became public domain in many other countries at the beginning of 2017, seventy years after the writer's death.

With meter 8.9.10.7 with refrain, it is sung to a tune that Miles wrote, called GARDEN.

The song has been covered by a number of contemporary artists, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Van Morrison. Its wide associations in popular culture mean that it sometimes chosen for funerals, as it is very well known.

Downloads

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PowerPoint
slides

Included in several gospel hymn compilations

Downloadable sheet music for Piano/Vocal/Chords; 2 pages

Downloadable leadsheet - melody and guitar Chords; 1 page>

Examples

Close-harmony quartet:

Lead singer with piano-led backing:

Instrumental (flute with piano accompaniemnt):

Lyrics

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

Chorus:
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.