[Lord, I want to be a Christian]

Tune Information

Title: [Lord, I want to be a Christian]
Meter: 8.3.3.8.3 with refrain
Incipit: 11335 32111 35653
Key: D Major
Source: African American spiritual
Copyright: Public Domain

Texts

Lord, I Want to Be a Christian

Lord, I want to be a Christian
in my heart, in my heart.
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.

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Notes

Both text and tune were first published in Folk Songs of the American Negro (1907), compiled by brothers Frederick Work and John W. Work, Jr. (PHH 476). This music is an example of the slow, sustained, long-phrased tune found in a number of African American spirituals. In the manner of many such spirituals, this is a call-and-response song, in which a soloist (or choir in unison) sings the stanzas (first two lines) and everyone responds by singing the chorus (last two lines) in four-part harmony. The soloist's lines could be sung rather freely, and the rest in more regular rhythm, but not fast. This music is intended to be reverent, with little, if any, accompaniment (perhaps piano).

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988

Timeline

Arrangements

Harmonizations, Introductions, Descants, Intonations

  • The Creative Use of the Piano in Worship: The Creative Church Musucian Series - Volume 8
    Composer/Editor Hal H. Hopson
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (2008) pp. 87
  • Let It Rip! At the Piano: Congregational Song Accompaniments
    Composer/Editors Norma Aamodt-Nelson; Eric Vollen
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2000) pp. 98
  • Free Harmonizations of Hymn Tunes: Volume II
    Composer/Editor D. DeWitt Wasson
    Published By: Hinshaw Music, Inc. (1986) pp. 154
  • Short Hymn-Tune Arrangements for Organ: Including Two Essays: Basic Organ Technique and Choosing a Church Organ
    Composer/Editor Philip K. Clemens
    Published By: Mennonite Publishing House (1983) pp. 12
  • Hymn Concepts for Organ & Choir: Announcements, Interludes, Descants & Free Accompaniments
    Composer/Editor Hal H. Hopson
    Published By: Carl Fischer, Inc. (1978) pp. 10
  • No Cover; Tornado Damaged; Organ: Stamp Yvonne Barnes
    Composer/Editor Gordon Young
    Published By: Harold Flammer Music Publishers Incorporated (1977) pp. 21

Organ Solo

  • The Organist's Companion Volume 44 Number 5 July August 2022 General, Weddings, Patriotic, Communion: A Bi-monthly Journal of Quality Organ Music for the Practical Church Musician
    Composer/Editors Wayne Leupold; Anthony Giamanco
    Published By: Leupold Foundation (2022) pp. 5
  • The Organist's Companion Volume 43 Number 5 July 2021 General, Weddings, Patriotic, Communion: A Bi-monthly Journal of Quality Organ Music for the Practical Church Musician
    Composer/Editors Wayne Leupold; Roy L. Belfield, Jr.
    Published By: Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. (2021) pp. 22
  • In Peace and Joy: Organ Settings of Beloved Hymns
    Composer/Editors Victor C. Johnson; Douglas E. Wagner
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2020) pp. 13
  • Immortal, Invisible: Four Organ Solos
    Composer/Editor Mathew H. Corl
    Published By: MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. (2016) pp. 8
  • Easy Organ Library Volume 55
    Composer/Editor Dan R. Edwards
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2014) pp. 80
  • The Organist's Library Volume 56
    Composer/Editor Mary McDonald
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2014) pp. 47
  • Hymn Tunes A to Z: 38 Organ Settings for Worship or Recital
    Composer/Editors Douglas E. Wagner; Mary McDonald
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 10
  • The Organ Portfolio Volume 76 Number 3 January February 2013: The Service Music Anthology for the Church Organist
    Composer/Editors Douglas E. Wagner; Robert J. Powell
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 20
  • The Organ Portfolio Volume 77 Number 2 November December 2013: The Service Music Anthology for the Church Organist
    Composer/Editors Douglas E. Wagner; Mary McDonald
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 13
  • The Organist Volume 117 Number 3 July August 2013: The Service Music Companion for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Douglas E. Wagner; Dan R. Edwards
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 12
  • The Organist's Library Volume 54
    Composer/Editor Robert J. Powell
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 88
  • The Organist's Library Volume 54: Moderately Difficult
    Composer/Editor Robert J. Powell
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 88
  • Grace Notes XI
    Composer/Editor Timothy Albrecht
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2004) pp. 24
  • I'll Praise My Maker: Improvisations for Worship
    Composer/Editor J. Wayne Kerr
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2003) pp. 14
  • PedalPoint Volume 19 Number 2 January February March 2000: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
    Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Scott D. Oyer
    Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (2000) pp. 33
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 35 Number 1 September October 2000: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Mark Barnard; Gilbert M. Martin
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2000) pp. 13
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 35 Number 1 September October 2000: The Organist's Companion for the Church Year
    Composer/Editors Mark Barnard; Gilbert M. Martin
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2000) pp. 13
  • The Easy Organ Collection: Hymn Settings for Organ
    Composer/Editors Mark Barnard; Brian Glyncannon
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1998) pp. 28
  • Just As I Am and Other Lenten Hymns for Organ
    Composer/Editors Eugene McCluskey; Brian Glyncannon
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1996) pp. 14
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 31 Number 1 September 1996: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors James Mansfield; Sarah Douglas
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1996) pp. 15
  • Favorite Spirituals: For Organ
    Composer/Editors Dorothy Wells; Brian Glyncannon
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1993) pp. 12
  • Composer/Editor Charles Callahan
    Published By: MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. (1993) pp. 6
  • Discoveries for Organ: Prelukdes, Postludes & Offertories
    Composer/Editor Phillip Keveren
    Published By: Woodland Music Press (1991) pp. 32
  • John Ness Beck Favorites for Organ: Seven Hymn Settings Transcribed by Janet Linker
    Composer/Editors Janet Linker; John Ness Beck
    Published By: Beckenhorst Press, Inc. (1990) pp. 16
  • Spirituals for Organ
    Composer/Editor Olive Nelson Russell
    Published By: Belwin-Mills Publishing Corporation (1990) pp. 6
  • Emergency Organ Book Volume Three: For All Occasions
    Composer/Editors Dorothy Wells; Brian Glyncannon
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1989) pp. 90
  • Three Organ Hymn Preludes
    Composer/Editor J. Wayne Kerr
    Published By: H. T. FitzSimons Company (1988) pp. 6
  • Easy Gospel Favorites for the Organ
    Composer/Editor Eugene McCluskey
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1986) pp. 44
  • The Organist Volume 86 Number 6 January 1983: A Bi-Monthly Publication for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors James Mansfield; Brian Glyncannon
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1986) pp. 26
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 20 Number 1 September 1985: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Howard Wells; Fred B. Binckes
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1985) pp. 17
  • Short Hymn-Tune Arrangements for Organ: Including Two Essays: Basic Organ Technique and Choosing a Church Organ
    Composer/Editor Philip K. Clemens
    Published By: Mennonite Publishing House (1983) pp. 12-14
  • Be Thou My Vision: Ten Hymn Meditations for Organ
    Composer/Editor Albin C. Whitworth
    Published By: Beckenhorst Press, Inc. (1982) pp. 20
  • The Amateur Organist No. 92: A Collection of Organ Voluntaries for Church Use
    Composer/Editor Brian Glyncannon
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1982) pp. 26
  • The Amateur Organist Number 92: A Collection of Organ Voluntaries for Church Use
    Composer/Editor Brian Glyncannon
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1982) pp. 26
  • Organist's Choice for Worship and Recital: Voluntaries, Preludes, Hymn Accompaniments, Organ/Piano Duets
    Composer/Editors Herbert Colvin; Fred Bock; Richard Irven Purvis; Gordon Young; Richard Ellsasser; Kurt Kaiser
    Published By: Word Music Group, LLC (1980) pp. 108
  • The Diane Bish Organ Book Volume 1: New Settings of Favorite Hymns
    Composer/Editor Diane Joyce Bish
    Published By: Fred Bock Music Company (1980) pp. 18
  • O Worship the King: Hymn and Chorale Settings for the Organ
    Composer/Editor Raymond H. Haan
    Published By: Broadman Press (1979) pp. 29
  • Pass It On: Gospel Songs for Organ
    Composer/Editor Herbert Colvin
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1977) pp. 27
  • Spirituals and Folk Tunes: Go Tell It On the Mountain
    Composer/Editor Gordon Young
    Published By: Harold Flammer Music Publishers Incorporated (1977) pp. 21
  • Spirituals and Folk Tunes: With Hammond Registrations by John Innes
    Composer/Editor Gordon Young
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (1977) pp. 21
  • The Organist's Collection of: Favorite Gospel Songs Number 3
    Composer/Editor Robert J. Hughes
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1972) pp. 20
  • The Organist Volume 74 Number 3 July 1970: A Bi-Monthly Publication for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Roger C. Wilson; Robert J. Hughes
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1970) pp. 44
  • Five Spirituals for Organ
    Composer/Editor Richard Warner
    Published By: Shawnee Press, Inc. (1967) pp. 10

Piano Solo

  • What Can I Play on Sunday? Complete Collection: 610 Easily Prepared Piano Arrangements for Services throughout the Year
    Composer/Editor Cindy Berry
    Published By: Alfred Music Publishing Company, Inc. (2013) pp. 28
  • Sketches in Ivory: Sacred Arrangements for Piano
    Composer/Editor Brad Nix
    Published By: Shawnee Press, Inc. (2012) pp. 26
  • The Church Pianist Volume 27 Number 3 January February 2011: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
    Composer/Editors Larry F. Pugh; Gregg Sewell
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2011) pp. 99
  • Prayludes for Summer: Flexible Piano Medleys for Trinity Sunday, National Holidays and General Use
    Composer/Editor Ruth Elaine Schram
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2010) pp. 17
  • My Jesus, I Love Thee: Devotional Hymns for the Journey of Faith
    Composer/Editor Victor Labenske
    Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (2007) pp. 9
  • What Can I Play on Sunday? Book 1: January & February Services: 10 Easily Prepared Piano Arrangements
    Composer/Editor Cindy Berry
    Published By: Alfred Music Publishing Company, Inc. (2006) pp. 26
  • The Church Pianist Volume 20 Number 1 September October 2003: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
    Composer/Editors David Sarandon; Eugene Butler
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2003) pp. 6
  • The Church Pianist Volume 18 Number 5 May June 2002: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
    Composer/Editor David Sarandon
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2002) pp. 24
  • PedalPoint Volume 19 Number 2 January February March 2000: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
    Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Scott D. Oyer
    Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (2000) pp. 33
  • Inspirational Treasures: Instrumental Favorite Hymns
    Composer/Editor Gary Prim
    Published By: Combs Music International (1999) pp. 73
  • What Wondrous Love: Songs of Praise for Piano
    Composer/Editor Lynette Maynard
    Published By: GlorySound (1999) pp. 18
  • Hymnproviser 2 (Piano Series): Solos of Meditation & Worship
    Composer/Editors Shelly Hamilton; Flora Jean Garlock
    Published By: Majesty Music, Inc. (1997) pp. 17
  • Spirituals for Piano Solo: 15 Inspirational Favorites
    Composer/Editor Kurt Kaiser
    Published By: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation (1997) pp. 26
  • Lord, Lift Me Up: For Piano
    Composer/Editors Beverly Steele Gaia; Michael Cox
    Published By: Genevox Music Group (1990) pp. 2
  • PedalPoint Volume 9 Number 4 July August September 1990: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
    Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Donna Williams
    Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (1990) pp. 10
  • Composer/Editor John Carter
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (1990) pp. 12
  • The Church Pianist Volume 4 Number 6 July 1988: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
    Composer/Editors Hugh S. Livingston, Jr.; Robert J. Hughes
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1988) pp. 28
  • Images of Praise: Hymn Arrangements for the Piano
    Composer/Editor Don Phillips
    Published By: Genevox Music Group (1987) pp. 8
  • PedalPoint Volume 3 Number 2 January February March 1984: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
    Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Michael D. Sharp
    Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (1984) pp. 26
  • Spirituals at the Piano: Beloved Melodies Arranged by Peggy Tolson
    Composer/Editor Peggy Tolson
    Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (1969) pp. 15

Piano and Organ Duet

  • Hymns & Spiritual Songs: 10 Duets for Organ and Piano
    Composer/Editors James Pethel; Stan Pethel
    Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (2021) pp. 52
  • My Faith Looks Up to Thee: Meditative Duets for Organ and Piano
    Composer/Editor Albin C. Whitworth
    Published By: GlorySound (1987) pp. 4
  • PedalPoint Volume 5 Number 4 July August September 1986: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
    Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Todd Billingsley
    Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (1986) pp. 28

Voices: Piano, Instrument and Voices

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Baptist Hymnal 1991 #489
Text: Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
  • Bulletin Score (PDF)
  • Full Score (PDF)
  • Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF)
Christian Classics Ethereal Hymnary #322
  • Four-part harmony, full-score (PDF, NWC)
The Cyber Hymnal #4088
Text: Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)
Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #264
Text: Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
  • Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF, XML)
  • Bulletin Score (PDF, XML)
  • Full Score (PDF)
Worship and Rejoice #457
Text: Lord, I Want to Be a Christian

Instances

Instances (1 - 45 of 45)
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Include 46 pre-1979 instances
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