The Lutheran Hymnary ‎#472

472. I could not do without Thee

1 I could not do without Thee
O Savior of the lost,
Whose wondrous love redeemed me,
At such tremendous cost;
Thy righteousness, Thy pardon,
Thy precious blood must be
My only hope and comfort,
My glory and my plea.

2 I could not do without Thee,
I cannot stand alone,
I have no strength or goodness,
No wisdom of my own;
But Thou, beloved Savior,
Art all in all to me;
And weakness will be power
If leaning hard on Thee.

3 I could not do without Thee,
For O the way is long,
And I am often weary,
And sigh replaces song:
How could I do without Thee?
I do not know the way;
Thou knowest, and Thou leadest,
And wilt not let me stray.

4 I could not do without Thee,
O Jesus, Savior dear;
E’en when my eyes are holden,
I know that Thou art near.
How dreary and how lonely
This changeful life would be,
Without the sweet communion,
The secret rest with Thee!

5 I could not do without Thee,
For years are fleeting fast,
And soon in solemn loneliness
The river must be passed;
But Thou wilt never leave me,
And though the waves roll high,
I know Thou wilt be near me,
And whisper, "It is I."

Text Information

• First Line: I could not do without Thee
• Author: Frances R. Havergal (1873)
• Meter: 7, 6. 8L.
• Publication Date: 1913
• Topic: The Church Year: Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

Tune Information

• Name: [I could not do without Thee]
• Composer: J. Stainer, 1840–1901
• Meter: 7, 6. 8L.
• Key: E♭ Major