I will Sing, I will Sing a Song Unto the Lord

This is a simple folk-style praise hymn about about singing to God.

It was written by American member of the Fisherfolk and later professional musician (cellist), Max Dyer, and first published in 1974 by Celebration/Kingsway's Thankyou Music.

Hymn-books where it has been published in include:

Sound of Living Waters, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, 1974
Scripture in Song, Volume II, Songs of the Kingdom, New Zealand 1979
Sing and Rejoice! Herald Press, Scottdale, Pa./ Kitchener, Ont. - USA/Canada, 1979
Church Family Worship, Jubilate Hymns, 1988, England
Songs of God's People:- supplement to the Church Hymnal, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press 1988, on behalf of the Church of Scotland
Gather Comprehensive, GIA Publications, USA, 1994
Songs for Life, CRC Publications, USA 1995
Celebration Hymnal for Everyone, McCrimmond Publications, 1994, England
Complete Mission Praise, Marshall Pickering, England, 1999
Church Hymnal, Fifth Edition, Oxford University Press 2000 on behalf of the Church of Ireland
Community of Christ Sings, Herald Publishing House, Independence, MO, USA, 2013

It is set to a tune by Dyer, which is sometimes called I WILL SING. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of E, the first few notes of the melody are BB B BB B BG GFEC E_

The books listed above are the only known places to find sheet music for the song.

Image adapt from PublicDomainPictures

Downloads

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Examples

Choir with band:

Choir with folk-band:

Choir, unaccompanied:

Singer with guitar:

Instrumental - organ:

Lyrics

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

I will sing, I will sing a song unto the Lord.
I will sing, I will sing a song unto the Lord.
I will sing, I will sing a song unto the Lord.
Alleluia glory to the Lord.

Chorus:
Allelu, alleluia glory to the Lord,
Allelu, alleluia glory to the Lord,
Allelu, alleluia glory to the Lord,
Alleluia glory to the Lord.

The verses all follow the same pattern:

We will come, we will come as one before the Lord ...
They that sow, they that sow in tears shall reap in joy ...
If the Son, if the Son shall make you free ... You shall be free, indeed.
In His name, in His name we have the victory ...
Ev'ry knee shall bow and ev'ry tongue confess ... That Jesus Christ is Lord.