The author is unknown.
The tune is a Russian folk melody, "Iz-za ostrova na strezhen" or "Volga, Volga mat' rodnaya", which was used for a song about a Cossack leader who led an uprising in the 17th century. The composer and when it was written are unknown, but it was popular in the 1890s, so is definitely in the public domain now. The tune has been used in a number of ways, eg for a Dutch nursery rhyme and for the 1960's Australian folk-song "The Carnival is Over".
The tune is a Russian folk melody, "Iz-za ostrova na strezhen" or "Volga, Volga mat' rodnaya", which was used for a song about a Cossack leader who led an uprising in the 17th century. The composer and when it was written are unknown, but it was popular in the 1890s, so is definitely in the public domain now. The tune has been used in a number of ways, eg for a Dutch nursery rhyme and for the 1960's Australian folk-song "The Carnival is Over".
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Image from PxFuel |
Downloads
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Examples
Small group with keyboard accompaniment - recorded live in a church service:
Men's choir, unaccompanied:
Small group with guitar-led band:
The Russian folk song which the hymn is based on:
Lyrics
Vaster far than any ocean,Deeper than the deepest sea
Is the love of Christ my Saviour,
Reaching through eternity.
But my sins are truly many,
Is God’s grace so vast, so deep?
Yes, there’s grace o’er sin abounding,
Grace to pardon, grace to keep.
Can he quench my thirst for ever?
Will his Spirit strength impart?
Yes, he gives me living water
Springing up within my heart.
ABC Notation
X:1T:Vaster Far Than any Ocean
A: Unknown
O: Russia
Z:abc-transcription www.GodSongs.net
L:1/8
M:3/4
K:E
B,>B, | E3 E F>E | E2 D2 B,>B, | A3 F B>F | G4 E>E |
c3 B Ac | B2 G2 GE | C3 B, C>E | E4 z ]
About ABC notation
Thank you for the wonderful hymns and background information featured at your website. I'm including the hymn, Vaster Far Than Any Ocean, in a mystery book I'm writing that is set in 1893. It was very helpful to learn in your introduction that this hymn was popular in the 1890s. For my research, I'd love to know the source where you found the information. Thank you for your help!
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