This hymn was suggested by my friend and fellow songwriter, John Nuttall.
In the words of Hymnary.org:
"Robert Walmsley was born at Manchester March 18, 1831, went to Sale in 1870, where he was till 1904 in business as a jeweller, and died in Sale Oct. 30, 1905. He was a Congregationalist, and was for 28 years connected with the work of the Manchester Sunday School Union, many of his hymns being written for the annual Whitweek Festival. He published 44 of them, with a preface dated Dec. 1900, as Sacred Songs for Children of all Ages. They are simple, musical, full of a deep love of God, of the works of God in nature, and of little children, and deserve to be more extensively used."
I really struggle to sing the third verse without choking up, there's such compassion behind the lyrics.
lyrics
Verse 1:
Come let us sing of a wonderful love,
tender and true,
out of the heart of the Father above,
streaming to me and to you.
Wonderful love,
dwells in the heart of the Father above.
Verse 2:
Jesus, the Saviour, this gospel to tell,
joyfully came,
came with the helpless and hopeless to dwell,
sharing their sorrow and shame,
seeking the lost,
saving, redeeming at measureless cost.
Verse 3:
Jesus is seeking the wanderers yet;
why do they roam?
Love only waits to forgive and forget;
home, weary wanderers, home!
Wonderful love,
dwells in the heart of the Father above.
Verse 4:
Come to my heart, O thou wonderful love!
Come and abide,
lifting my life till it rises above
envy and falsehood and pride,
seeking to be,
lowly and humble, a learner of thee.
Coda:
Wonderful love (Repeat)
credits
from Hymnal,
released November 5, 2019
Lead Vocal, Guitars, Drum Programming - David Woodman
Bass - Frank Brierley
Keyboards - Andy Green
Vocals - Lisa, Matt & Jessica Woodman, Irene Mayor, Hannah & Ruth Green, Frank & Rosemary Brierley, Emily Ablett, Andrea Beswick & Thom Norman
Recorded at Stillwater Sound Solutions by Frank Brierley
Additional recording at David Woodman Music
Mixed and Mastered by Andy Green at Cornerhouse Productions
supported by 5 fans who also own “Come Let Us Sing”
I suppose I am slightly biased as it is my very talented and lovely Son Andy Green and wonderful friend Dave Woodman who have made this fabulous album together.
However, despite this I love the unique sound of the dulcimer and the beautiful music so divinely put together creating an album that I will play often to soothe and thrill me when I need it most. Thank you . Linda Bond