We continue our foray into Lenten hymns (or at least hymns I like that are cool) with “Jesus Lover of My Soul” which has another lovely Welsh hymn tune called Aberystwyth. (The Welsh do cool things with hymnody.) It is in a minor key and flows well as long as the organist/pianist takes it at a good clip. (It becomes positively dirge-like otherwise.)

The words (with a third verse I have never heard sung):

Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.

Wilt Thou not regard my call? Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall??Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand, dying, and behold, I live.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name, I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.
(HT: Cyberhymnal)

Both Michael Card and Fernando Ortega cover it but I prefer the recording by Michael Card from his album Starkindler because he takes it at a decent clip and pairs it with some Celtic jig music.

For comparison, here is Fernando Ortega’s recording from BEGINNINGS which takes it at a more normal speed and is more contemplative. (The YouTube video refuses to appear.)