It was written by Scottish-born, later English-resident, Morovian-church member, hymn writer, poet and newspaper editor, James Montgomery (1771-1854) in 1834, and altered by Frances A. Hutton (1789-1871).
With meter 6.5.6.5 D, tunes it is set to include:
- PENITENCE (Lane) by American composer Spencer Lane (1843-1903) - the most-commonly used tune
- MARY MAGDALENE (Dykes) by English organist and composer John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876).
Downloads
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Examples
Lead singer with gentle organ, words on-screen:
Close harmony quartet with organ - professional recording from 1965:
Large congregation, unaccompanied, professional recording:
Large congregation, unaccompanied:
Singer with light organ - professional recording:
Instrumental - organ with words on-screen:
Instrumental - piano, tune PENITENCE (Lane):
Lyrics
Traditional language
1 In the hour of trial, Jesus, plead for me,Lest by base denial I depart from Thee.
When Thou seest me waver, with a look recall,
Nor for fear or favour suffer me to fall.
2 With forbidden pleasures would this vain world charm,
Or its sordid treasures spread to work me harm,
Bring to my remembrance sad Gethsemane,
Or, in darker semblance, cross-crowned Calvary.
3 Should Thy mercy send me sorrow, toil and woe,
Or should pain attend me on my path below,
Grant that I may never fail Thy hand to see;
Grant that I may ever cast my care on Thee.
Original verse 4
When, in dust and ashes, to the grave I sink,
When heaven’s glory flashes o’er the shelving brink,
On Thy truth relying, through that mortal strife,
Lord, receive me, dying, to eternal life.
Altered verse 4
When my last hour cometh, fraught with strife and pain;
When my dust returneth to the dust again;
On that truth relying through that mortal strife,
Jesus take me, dying, to eternal life.
Modern English
1 In the hour of trial, Jesus, plead for melest by base denial I unworthy be.
When you see me waver, with a look recall,
nor for fear or favour ever let me fall.
2 With forbidden pleasures should this vain world charm
or its tempting treasures spread to work me harm,
bring to my remembrance sad Gethsemane
or, in darker semblance, cross-crowned Calvary.
3 Should your mercy send me sorrow, toil, and woe,
or should pain attend me on my path below,
grant that I may never fail your cross to view;
grant that I may ever cast my care on you.
4 When my life is ending, though in grief or pain,
when my body changes back to dust again,
on your truth relying, through that mortal strife,
Jesus, take me, dying, to eternal life. ...
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