Faith Hope and Charity

This is a folk-style song about the three theological virtues. It was written by South African born, lay Franciscian singer/song-writer Sebastian Temple (1928-1997).

It was included in his 1967 LP, Happy the Man, and in the accompanying sheet music (link below - still available today). Later, it was published in the 20th Century Folk Hymnal Volume 1 in 1974 in the United Kingdom by Mayhew-McCrimmon Publications.

The song is set to an unnamed tune, also by Temple. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of E, the first few notes are G G G F E E E E F F F E D_ with accompanying chords E / B7

Downloads

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Included in the sheet music collection for Happy the Man

Examples

Singer and small band - possibly the original recording:

Professional recording:

Lyrics

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

1 If like Old King Solomon,
the Lord gave me a task
Of finding what I want from Him,
for these three things I'll ask:

Chorus:
I'll ask for
Faith, hope and charity, to strengthen me!
Faith, hope and charity, to set me free!
Faith, hope and charity to lead me where
I meet my Saviour in daily prayer.

2 Faith will always lead me to
the things that are unseen,
While hope will spur my fainting heart
to hold the Christian dream.

3 Love surpasses knowledge
And is strength when we are weak;
God is love and love is God,
The honey all men seek.

4 Faith and hope may pass away
but love will always be.
And bind all men together
into one big family.