How Sweet, How Heavenly

Representative Text

1. How sweet, how heav'nly is the sight,
When those that love the Lord
In one another's peace delight,
And thus fulfill His word.

2. When each can feel each brother's sigh,
And with him bear a part;
When sorrow flows from eye to eye,
And joy from heart to heart.

3. When free from envy, scorn and pride,
Our wishes all above,
Each can his brother's failings hide,
And show a brother's love.

4. When love, in one delightful stream
Thro' ev'ry bosom flows;
And union sweet, and dear esteem,
In ev'ry action glows.

5. Love is a golden chain that binds
The happy souls above,
And he's an heir of heav'n who finds
His bosom glow with love.

Source: The New Christian Hymnal #275

Author: Joseph Swain

Swain, Joseph, was born at Birmingham in 1761, and after being apprenticed to an engraver, removed to London. After a time he became a decided Christian, and being of an emotional poetic temperament, began to give expression to his new thoughts and feelings in hymns. In 1783 he was baptized by the Rev. Dr. Rippon, and in 1791 became minister of a Baptist congregation in East Street, Walworth. After a short but popular and very useful ministry, he died April 16, 1796 Swain published the following:— (1) A Collection of Poems on Several Occasions, London, 1781; (2) Redemption, a Poem in five Books, London, 1789; (3) Experimental Essays on Divine Subjects, London, 1791; (4) Walworth Hymns, by J. Swain, Pastor of the Baptist Church Meeting… Go to person page >

Tune

EVAN (Havergal)

This tune is likely the work of the composer named here, but has also been attributed to others as shown in the instances list.

Go to tune page >


BROWN (Bradbury)


Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #2631
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)

Instances

Instances (1 - 7 of 7)

Church Gospel Songs and Hymns #77

Church Hymnal, Mennonite #462

Great Songs of the Church (Revised) #390

Praise for the Lord (Expanded Edition) #250

Sacred Selections for the Church #652

The Baptist Hymnal #465

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #2631

Include 561 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us