It was written by American
Presbyterian minister Daniel Iverson (1890-1977) in 1926, during a citywide
revival in Orlando, Florida (ref).
With irregular meter, it is set to an unnamed tune, also by Inverson which is
sometimes called (SPIRIT OF THE) LIVING GOD. This has a 4/4 time
signature. In the key of F, the first few notes of the melody-line are A AA A G
A B_
Because the tune and words are simple, the tune has been taught by ear, and both it and the words have adapted in many ways, eg "fall afresh on us" or "fall afresh on all".
Because the tune and words are simple, the tune has been taught by ear, and both it and the words have adapted in many ways, eg "fall afresh on us" or "fall afresh on all".
Downloads
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Examples
Traditional choir with organ:
Large service with worship leader:
Contemporary setting - guitar-led band, professional recording:
Small group with piano and light guitar, recorded live during a
church-service:
Lyrics
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me;
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mould me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Listening to Puccini's "Ombra di nube" sounds like this for the first few bars. I was with a group in Jerusalem and we sang this acapella in a little chapel and it sounded like heaven. I'll never forget the moment.
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