1.
Father, I long, I faint to see
The place of thy abode,
I'd leave these earthly courts, and flee
Up to thy courts, my God.
Here I behold thy distant face,
And 'tis a pleasing sight,
But to abide in thine embrace
Is infinite delight.
Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >
MANOAH was first published in Henry W. Greatorex's Collection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes (1851). This anthology (later editions had alternate titles) contained one of the best tune collections of its era and included thirty-seven original compositions and arrangements by compiler Greatorex as well as m…
Display Title: Father, I Long, I Faint To SeeFirst Line: Father, I long, I faint to seeTune Title: MAITLANDAuthor: Isaac WattsMeter: CMSource: Hymns and Spiritual Songs 1707-09, Book II