Without Seeing You - Haas

This hymn about faith in the unseen God was written by American Roman Catholic liturgical musician and composer David Haas (b 1957), inspired by 1 Peter 1:8.

It was first published in 1993 by the predecessor to GIA Publications.  Later, it became the title track of The Best of David Haas, volume 3, released in 2009.

With irregular meter, the song is set to a tune by Haas called WE BELIEVE.   This has a 3/4 time signature. In the key of D, the first few notes are  d c BB A G A D with accompanying chords D/F# - G2 - A - D.

** About the author

In 2020, dozens of women accused David Haas of serious misconduct.  Following investigations he issued a public apology. (More here - includes disturbing materials).  

Since this happened, GIA Publications and others stopped publishing work by Haas:  Sheet music is not available for his songs, and many videos have been removed. Some American Catholic dioceses have asked members to stop using his work, as suggested by his victims, who may find singing his compositions traumatic.  

So far, few church organisations outside the USA have officially spoken about the issue.   However individual churches and musicians may want to consider whether or not to use his material. 

Alternatives for this song include:  

• Without Seeing You, We Love You - Nazareth
• Without Seeing You - Deiss

If you have other suggested alternatives, please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.

Photo source

Downloads

This section may contain affiliate links: I earn from qualifying purchases on these. Free downloads are provided where possible (eg for public domain items).

No downloadable versions have been found, of either performances or the sheet music. If you know where to find one, please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.

Examples

Small choir with piano:

Original release - singers with band, with artwork:

Small group, high-set professional recording:

Haas with a small group in an informal setting, unaccompanied:

Choir and congregation with piano, recorded live in a church service:

Lyrics

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

Chorus:
Without seeing you, we love you;
without touching you, we embrace;
without knowing you, we follow;
without seeing you, we believe.

1 We return to you deep within ...

2 The sparrow will find a home ...

3 For ever we sing to you ...

4 For you are our shepherd ...

See more ...

• Hymns about Faith
• Folk-style hymns

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
Chorus:
Without seeing you, we love you;
without touching you, we embrace;
without knowing you, we follow;
without seeing you, we believe.

1 We return to you deep within,
leave the past to the dust;
turn to you with tears and fasting;
you are ready to forgive.

2 The sparrow will find a home,
near to you, O God;
how happy, we who dwell with you,
forever in your house.

3 For ever we sing to you
of your goodness, O God;
proclaiming to all the world
of your faithfulness and love.

3 For you are our shepherd,
there is nothing that we need;
in green pastures we will find our rest,
near the waters of peace.