PARTING HAND
Early 19th century American
Hymntune possibly by Jeremiah Ingalls or William Walker
Words possibly by John Blain
Arranged by Nancy Rexford, 2010
My Christian friends, in bonds of love,
whose hearts in sweetest union join,
Your friendship's like a drawing band,
yet we must take the parting hand.
Your company's sweet, your union dear,
Your words delightful to my ear,
And when I see that we must part
You draw like chords around my heart.How sweet the hours have passed away
Since we have met to sing and pray;
How loath we are to leave the place
Where Jesus shows his smiling face.
O could I stay with friends so kind,
How would it cheer my drooping mind!
But duty makes me understand
That we must take the parting hand.How oft I've seen your flowing tears
And heard you tell your hopes and fears!
Your hearts with love were seen to flame
Which makes me hope we'll meet again.
And now, my friends, both old and young,
I hope in Christ you'll still go on;
O trust His grace - in Canaan's land
We'll no more take the parting hand.**
** The original hymn has six verses. This version uses verses 1 and 2, the first quatrain of verse 4, the first two lines of verse 5 and the last 2 lines of verse 4. In verse 1, the words "and when I see" were originally "yet when I see."
