As Gentle as Silence / Oh the love of my Lord is the essence

This song about God's love and mercy and the depth of God's presence was written by English Roman-Catholic convert, musician, physiotherapist, and later teacher and hymn-writer Estelle White (1925-2011).
 

It was first published in the 20th Century Folk Hymnal Vol 1, and has subsequently been published in hymn books from various denominations and in countries as far away New Zealand (Sing Praise - late 1970s).

The un-named tune by White has a 4/4 time signature, and was originally published in the key of F. The first few notes in this key are C E F A F D.

Downloads

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Examples

Soloist with piano accompaniment:

Small group with guitar accompaniment - professionally produced:

Instrumental - guitar:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website.

The song has three verses, each four lines long. A rough outline is:

1 Oh the love of my Lord is the essence,
... And His giving is ...

Every day, every hour, every moment,
...And his touch ...

3 There’ve been times when I’ve turned from His Presence,
... And His mercy ....

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Hymns about love
Hymns about mercy

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
Oh the love of my Lord is the essence,
Of all that I love here on Earth.
All the beauty I see, He has given to me,
And His giving is as gentle as silence.

Every day, every hour, every moment,
Have been blessed by the strength of His love,
At the turn of each tide, He is there at my side,
And his touch is as gentle as silence.

There’ve been times when I’ve turned from His Presence,
And I’ve walked other paths, other ways.
But I’ve called on His Name, in the dark of my shame,
And His mercy is as gentle as silence…