Blessed be the Ties that Bind / Blest Be the Tie That Binds

This is a hymn about Christian fellowship and unity. However it can also be interpreted as a hymn about marriage and so is popular for weddings.

It was written by English tailor, Methodist and later Baptist preacher /minister, John Fawcett (1740-1817). It is based on his experience of being called to serve in a larger church, fare-welling his current church - but on the day he was due to leave being so moved by the love of his congregation that the decided not to go.

It has been translated into:

Spanish as "Benditos lazos son" by Barbara Mink
Portuguese as Benditos laços são by Alfred Henrique da Silva
German as "Gesegnet sei das Band" by Julius Carl Grimmell.

With meter 6.6.8.6, tunes it is set to include:

DENNIS (Nägeli) SM by Swiss-born music-educator and composer Hans Georg Nägeli (1773-1836) - the most commonly used tune for this hymn
BOYLSTON by American music-educator and composer Lowell Mason (1792-1872)
ECCLESIAM by American composer David M. Cherwien

Downloads

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Downloadable simple piano setting with guitar chords, by Leonora Hardy

SATB choir with organ setting of ECCLESIAM by David M. Cherwien

PowerPoint slides

Examples

Singer with piano-led band, professional recording:

Unaccompanied, large professionally-mixed virtual choir:

Choir, unaccompanied:

Singer with guitar, professional recording:

Singer with guitar-led band, professional recording:

Congregation with band:

Singer with choir and band, jazz-style:

Singer with piano:

Small group with piano, professional recording:

Instrumental - flute-led:

Instrumental - organ:

Lyrics

Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.

We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part, (OR When we are called to part,)
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.

This glorious hope revives
our courage by the way;
while each in expectation lives
and waits to see the day.

From sorrow, toil, and pain,
and sin, we shall be free;
and perfect love and friendship reign
through all eternity.