I Heard the Voice of Jesus Calling

This song was written by Church of Scotland minister and hymn-writer John L Bell (b 1949).  

It was originally published in the 2008 collection 'We Walk His Way - Short Songs for Worship' from the Wild Goose Resource Group, Iona Community, Scotland, and has since been included in other publications of theirs.

The song is particularly appropriate for foot-washing ceremonies during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper - but can be used at other times also.   With seven verses, it can be used for an extended time period if required.

With meter 8.6.8.6.6, it is set to a jazz-style tune by Bell called LOUISE.   This has a 4/4 time signature, and in the key of Dm the first few notes are D F D F G A G F D.    In the original recording, the key increases by half a tone with the start of each new verse - but it can be performed well without this effect, and sheet music for it is not provided.

The verses are all paraphrases of short passages of scripture, viz:
1:  John 13:1-9   
2:  Matthew 25:40 and 25:45   
3:  Isaiah 6:10 and 13:16 and· Mark 4:9 and Revelation 2:7   
4:  Matthew 18:20   
5: John 8:31-36 · and 14:6-7   
6:  Matthew 26:26-29 and  John 6:47-51 and  1 Corinthians 11:23-26   
7:  John 6:47 ·and   8:51 and 11:25-26





Downloads

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Examples

Unaccompanied singer, original released version:


Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:
1  I heard the voice of Jesus calling; here’s what he said to me:
“If you don’t let me wash your feet,...

2... All that you do for the least of these...

3  ... If you have ears to hear, then hear  ...

4 ... Your deepest prayer, I will fulfil ...

5  ... I’ve come that you may know the truth ...

6  .... This is my body, given for you

7  ... Believe in me and you will live ...

See more ...


KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
1 I heard the voice of Jesus calling; here’s what he said to me:
If you don’t let me wash your feet, I can’t your Savior be; no, I can’t your Savior be.

2 I heard the voice of Jesus calling; here’s what he said to me …
… if you have ears to hear, then hear; if you have eyes then see, oh, if you have eyes then see.

3 I heard the voice of Jesus calling; here’s what he said to me …
… your deepest prayer I will fulfill, where two or three agree; yes, where two or three agree.

4 I heard the voice of Jesus calling; here’s what he said to me …
… I’ve come that you may know the truth, that’s what will set you free; yes that’s what will set you free.

5 I heard the voice of Jesus calling; here’s what he said to me …
… this is my body given for you, why don’t you taste and see? Oh, why don’t you taste and see?

6 I heard the voice of Jesus calling; here’s what he said to me …
… believe in me and you will live, through all eternity; yes, through all eternity.

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