God of Mercy and Compassion

This is a Lenten hymn about God's mercy.

It was written by English Roman Catholic (Redemptorist) priest Edmund Vaughan (1827-1908) - who is incorrectly referred to as "Edward Vaughan" in some hymnals.  

Vaughan translated a number of hymns, as well as writing some original texts.  This hymn is usually described as one of his originals.    But there are similarities with the 19th (or earlier) century God of Mercy and Compassion Look with Pity on my Pain - which raises a question of whether both had a common source.

With meter 8.7.8.7 with refrain:

• In the earliest publications, the hymn was set to various un-named tunes. 
• Today it is most commonly set to the tune AU SANG QU'UN DIEU:  Some sources say that this was written Italian composer Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736), while other say it is a traditional French tune which he adapted.

English writer Michael Hodgetts wrote an alternative set of words for this hymn, which has been published in some recent collections.

Downloads

Lead sheet
(melody + guitar chords)

Lead sheet - Dm (lower)
(melody + guitar chords)

PowerPoint slides

Digital Download arranged for piano, organ, SATB choir by Mario Pearson.

ABC notation

Examples

Church choir with light piano backing

Soloist and choir, with orchestra - concert performance

Singer with guitar - professional style recording

Choir (and congregation?) with organ - recorded in a church

Instrumental - piano

Lyrics

God of mercy and compassion,
Look with pity upon me,
Father, let me call Thee Father,
'Tis Thy child returns to Thee.

Refrain:
Jesus, Lord, I ask for mercy;
Let me not implore in vain;
All my sins, I now detest them,
Never will I sin again.

By my sins I have deserved
Death and endless misery,
Hell with all its pains and torments,
And for all eternity.

By my sins I have abandoned
Right and claim to heav'n above.
Where the saints rejoice forever
In a boundless sea of love.

See our Saviour, bleeding, dying,
On the cross of Calvary;
To that cross my sins have nail'd Him,
Yet He bleeds and dies for me.

See more ...

• Hymns about Mercy
• Hymns for Lent