Come Holy Spirit we (I) Need Thee (You)

This song of intercession to the Holy Spirit was written by American evangelists and worship-leaders William (Bill) and Gloria Gaither, and first released in 1964.

It is sometimes known as Come Holy Spirit We Need Thee, and a number of variations to the lyrics have also been written.   Finding the author of these is extremely difficult.

The song has been translated into various other languages including German (Der Du Auf Wassern), and Spanish (Ven Santo Espiritu A Mi Alma).

The tune has a 3/4 time signature. In the key of F, the first few notes are A AA B AF AG.

Sheet music is available (digital download) from several sources - see links below.

Downloads

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Arranged for Piano, voice and guitar by Bill and Gloria Gaither

Digital Sheetmusic with interactive sheet music for piano+voice, 3 pages

Examples

Singer, self-accompanied on guitar accompaniment:

Solo singer with backing:

Instrumental - clavinova:

Duet, acapella in close-harmony:

Lyrics

The original lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

1. Come Holy Spirit I need You ...

2. .... Come with Your light and Your wisdom ...

3    Come like a spring in the desert ...

4   Glory be to the Father ....

Alternative lyrics - copyright status of these is unclear:

Come Holy Spirit, I need You
Come sweet Spirit, I pray,
Come in Your strength and Your power,
Come in Your own gentle way.

Come as the wisdom to children
Come as new sight for the blind,
Come, Lord, as strength to my weakness
Take me, soul, body and mind.

See more ...

• Hymns about the Holy Spirit
• Pentecost hymns

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
Come, Holy Spirit I need You,
Come, Holy Spirit I pray,
Come with Your strength and Your power,
Come in Your own special way.

Come, Holy Spirit I need You,
Come, Holy Spirit I pray,
Come with Your light and Your wisdom,
Come in Your own special way.

Come, Holy Spirit I need You,
Come, Holy Spirit I pray,
Come with Your joy and Your true peace,
Come in Your own special way.

Come, like a spring in the dessert
Come to the withering soul
Come with Your life giving finger
Touch and make me me grow.