The Handwriting on the Wall

At the feast of Belshazzar and a thousand of his lords

Author: Knowles Shaw
Tune: [At the feast of Belshazzar and a thousand of his lords] (Shaw)
Published in 67 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 At the feast of Belshazzar, and a thousand of his lords,
While they drank from golden vessels, as the Book of Truth records;
In the night as they revel in the royal palace hall,
They were seized with consternation,- 'twas the hand upon the wall.

Chorus or Quartet:
'Tis the hand of God on the wall, (on the wall,)
'Tis the hand of God on the wall; (on the wall;)
Shall the record be, "Found wanting," or shall it be, "Found trusting!"
While that hand is writing on the wall? (writing on the wall.)

2 See the brave captive Daniel, as he stood before the throng,
And rebuked the haughty monarch for his mighty deeds of wrong;
As he read out the writing, 'twas the doom of one and all,
For the kingdom now was finished,- said the hand upon the wall. [Chorus]

3 See the faith, zeal and courage that would dare to do the right,
Which the Spirit gave to Daniel, this the secret of his might;
In his home in Judea, or a captive in the hall-
He understood the writing of his God upon the wall. [Chorus]

4 So our deeds are recorded, there's a Hand that's writing now;
Sinner, give your heart to Jesus, to His royal mandate bow;
For the day is approaching, it must come to one and all,
When the sinner's condemnation will be written on the wall. [Chorus]

Source: The New Praiseworthy: for the Church and Sunday School #190

Author: Knowles Shaw

Knowles Shaw (1834-1878), a name familiar in many western households--was born near New London, in Morgan Township, Ohio, on the 13th of October, 1834. His mother's maiden name was Huldah Griffin, and by both of his parents he was of Scottish extraction. His early life was spent in Rush County, Indiana, where he first began to play the violin, furnishing the music for many a dance. While the ball was going on he was converted, ceasing to play in the middle of the piece he was performing. Very soon thereafter he entered the ministry of the Christian Church. On the 11th of January, 1855, he married Miss Martha Finley. Most of his time after entering the ministry was spent in the West and South, and on account of his wonderful vocal powers he… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: At the feast of Belshazzar and a thousand of his lords
Title: The Handwriting on the Wall
Author: Knowles Shaw
Author: K. Shaw
Language: English
Refrain First Line: 'Tis the hand of God on the wall
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #2130
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)

Instances

Instances (1 - 67 of 67)

Choice Gospel Songs #d15

Christ in Song #d41

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Christ in Song #48

Cross and Crown Hymnal, 3rd ed. #d29

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Crowning Glory No. 1 #155

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Crowns of Rejoicing #138

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Diadems #199

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Die Deutsche Ausgabe der Englischen und Deutschen Frohen Botschaftslieder #e173

Echoes of Eden #d9

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Favorite Solos #16

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Glorious Hymns #110

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Gospel Hymns No. 5 #114

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Gospel Hymns Nos. 1 to 6 #379

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Gospel Hymns Nos. 5 and 6 Combined #114

Harp of Zion #d12

Harvest Bells No. 1 #d3

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Harvest Bells Nos. 1, 2 and 3 #62

Heavenly Tidings #d6

Hymn Book of the Colored M.E. Church in America #d37

Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Bible Schools #d10

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Hymns New and Old #145

Inspiring Hymns #351

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International Song Service #86

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International Song Service #64

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Light and Life Songs No. 3 #108

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Loving Voices #106

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New Christian Hymn and Tune Book #798

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On Joyful Wing #71

Our New Book for Sunday Schools, Prayer, Praise and Gospel Meetings #d4

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Pure Songs for Sunday-Schools #103

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Quartette #44

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Rodeheaver's Gospel Solos and Duets #132

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Rose of Sharon Hymns #718

Sacred Songs and Solos #549

Select Songs #d7

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Service Hymnal #236

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Service Songs for Young People's Societies, Sunday Schools and Church Prayer Meetings #104

Songs for the Ransomed #44

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Songs of Praise #93

Songs of Salvation and Service. #d21

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Songs of the Golden #114

Temple Chimes #d21

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Temple Trio #71

The Anti-Saloon League Song Book #52

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The Baptist Standard Hymnal #236

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The Christian Sunday School Hymnal #134

The Crowning Glory Nos. 1 and 2 #d29

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The Cyber Hymnal #2130

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The Golden Sheaf No. 2 #148

The Gospel Alarm #d11

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The Gospel Awakening #151

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The Gospel Call #96

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The Gospel in Song #187

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The Great Awakening #125

The King's Praise ... a General Purpose Song Book #d13

The More Perfect Gospel Hymnal, a Revision of the Cross and Resurrection in Song #d18

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The Morning Star #115

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The New Praiseworthy #190

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The Revival Wave #48

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The Sheet Music of Heaven (Spiritual Song) #236

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The Sheet Music of Heaven (Spiritual Song) #236

The True Principles of the Science of Music #d4

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Triumphant Songs No.1 #148

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Triumphant Songs Nos. 1 and 2 Combined #168

Trumpet Notes for the Temperance Battlefield #d13

Wonder Hymns of Faith #160

Work and Worship #d8

Exclude 66 pre-1979 instances
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