The song was written by (English?) evangelist Keith White (sometimes incorrectly called J White -
ref). It was published in Youth Praise 2 ( Church Pastoral Aid Society, England, 1969). This book is now out-of-print, and o other publications have been found.
According to this post the song is in the public domain - but the basis for this is unclear.
The unnamed tune was also written by White.
The unnamed tune was also written by White.
Downloads
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Examples
Solo singer, unaccompanied
Children's choir with piano
Small choir with piano, recorded live
Singer with guitar, semi-professional recording, words on-screen
Choir with piano
Singer with ukulele
Lyrics
Chorus:For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.
To hold His hand and walk
His narrow way.
There is no peace, no joy, no thrill,
Like walking in His will.
For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.
Now once my heart was full of sin and shame.
'Til someone told me Jesus came to save.
When He said "Come home to me"
He set my poor heart free.
For me to live is Christ, to die is gain
Now there are things that I still do not know,
But of this one thing I'm completely sure:
He who called me on that day washed all my sin away.
For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.
How wonderful,sweet and honest. Praise you LORD
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be a typo here. It should read 'For me to live IS Christ (not IN Christ). I remember singing this regularly as a teenager and the words and music were recalled recently in a study of Philippians. A powerful reminder of living FOR Christ but knowing that we are in a win-win situation.
ReplyDeleteI think the author was Keith White, not J White.
ReplyDeletePerfect this reminds me of the price he paid at Calvary that I have to love each day for him because indeed for me to live is Chris to die is gain
ReplyDeleteHow sad this song has dropped out of usage. It expresses so beautifully the faith of Paul, and our hope and faith in Christ.
ReplyDeleteAmen. Our HS Glee club Director, Ms Atkinson, drilled this piece into the 8 members "Boys Ensemble" 46 years ago. Yes, Anne Kavanagh "IS Christ alone" as we are now dead, having believed that Christ died for us and in us lives. He is risen! Praise be to God. Lord of All.
ReplyDeleteWe are worshiping out of Phil. 1 this morning, and we are singing this piece as one of our selections. I was unsure of the author. Thanks for the information.
ReplyDeleteThe songs author Keith White went to Glory on Tuesday, 24th January, 2023. He was a man of God!
ReplyDeleteThe songs writer Keith White went to Glory on Tuesday, 24th January, 2023. He was a great man of God!
ReplyDeleteThis Version of For me to Live is Christ, to Die is Gain by Keith White has kept Phillipians 1:21 "hidden in my heart" since I became a believer in 1972. It takes a challenging concept of being a believer - willingness to follow Christ to the cross and "walk his narrow way" and lays it out so even a young child can learn it (of course as also modeled by unselfish adults).
ReplyDelete