Strong and Constant

This hymn about God's love was written by by Australian Roman Catholic priest and folk-musician, Fr Frank Andersen

It was originally published in the Eagles Wings collection which was released  in 1979, and is  also included in the Scripture in Song - The Music of Frank Andersen MSC collection which is still available.   Both of these books include sheet music for the song - and they are the only sources that have been found.

The word "Yahweh" in the first verse is problematic in some situations: sometimes it is changed to "your Lord".

The tune was written by Fr Andersen:  it is in a major key (G in the original printing), with a 6:8 time signature - although it is generally sung with a more leisurely pace than this would suggest.   In the key of G, the first few notes of the melody are D D D DEF G E D_  with accompanying chords G / D / C /  G.




Downloads



Examples


Small group with guitar and light rhythm backing:



Church music group from Singapore





Instrumental: electronic keyboard with backing



Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright, and cannot be reproduced here.    However they are available on this website.  A rough outline of the verses is:
1 I will be Yahweh who walks with you...

Chorus:
Strong and constant is my love,
Strong and constant is my love

2 Should you wander far away from me ...

3 When you know sorrow within your life ...


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I will be Your God who walks with you!
You will be always in my hand!
Take your heart and give it all to me!

Chorus:
Strong and constant is my love!
Strong and constant is my love!

Should you wander far away from me
I will search for you in every land!
Should you call then you will truly know

When you know sorrow within your life
I will come I will embrace your heart!
Through your pain you will discover Me!

2 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. It was first published, as far as I can tell, in 1979 - so I'd guess it was written in the early to mid 1970s. So it's about 40 years old now.

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