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[Are you sitting idle, while there's work to do?]

Appears in 2 hymnals Composer and/or Arranger: John R. Sweney Tune Key: B Flat Major Incipit: 53321 56116 55112

Author: J. B. Mackay Appears in 2 hymnals First Line: Are you sitting idle, while there's work to do? Refrain First Line: Lend a hand, lend a hand, lend a helping hand Lyrics: 1 Are you sitting idle, while there's work to do? In the Master's vineyard there's a place for you; Be a faithful servant, ever ready stand, Where the Master calls you, lend a helping hand. Chorus: Lend a hand, lend a hand, lend a helping hand; Precious ones are falling, Lend a helping hand. Lend a hand, lend a hand, lend a helping hand; Jesus still is calling, Lend a helping hand. 2 Is your voice now silent? there are songs to sing, Help to swell the chorus make his praises ring; Till the strains are wafted over all the land, Reaching up to heaven, lend a helping hand. [Chorus] 3 Do your prayers no longer reach the throne of grace, That some fallen brother might his steps retrace? Every prayer will help him from the sinking sand, Yours today may save him, lend a helping hand. [Chorus] 4 Has your heart ceased yearning precious souls to win? Just a word from you might rescue one from sin; Work with all the strength you have at your command, Jesus will reward you, lend a helping hand. [Chorus] Used With Tune: [Are you sitting idle, while there's work to do?]

Instances

Published text-tune combinations (hymns) from specific hymnals

Lend a Hand

Author: J. B. Mackay Hymnal: Junior Songs #52 (1892) First Line: Are you sitting idle, while there's work to do? Refrain First Line: Lend a hand, lend a hand, lend a helping hand Lyrics: 1 Are you sitting idle, while there's work to do? In the Master's vineyard there's a place for you; Be a faithful servant, ever ready stand, Where the Master calls you, lend a helping hand. Chorus: Lend a hand, lend a hand, lend a helping hand; Precious ones are falling, Lend a helping hand. Lend a hand, lend a hand, lend a helping hand; Jesus still is calling, Lend a helping hand. 2 Is your voice now silent? there are songs to sing, Help to swell the chorus make his praises ring; Till the strains are wafted over all the land, Reaching up to heaven, lend a helping hand. [Chorus] 3 Do your prayers no longer reach the throne of grace, That some fallen brother might his steps retrace? Every prayer will help him from the sinking sand, Yours today may save him, lend a helping hand. [Chorus] 4 Has your heart ceased yearning precious souls to win? Just a word from you might rescue one from sin; Work with all the strength you have at your command, Jesus will reward you, lend a helping hand. [Chorus] Languages: English Tune Title: [Are you sitting idle, while there's work to do?]

Lend a Hand

Author: J. B. Mackay Hymnal: Winning Songs #164 (1892) First Line: Are you sitting idle, while there's work to do? Refrain First Line: Lend a hand, lend a hand, lend a helping hand Languages: English Tune Title: [Are you sitting idle, while there's work to do?]

People

Authors, composers, editors, etc.

John R. Sweney

1837 - 1899 Person Name: Jno. R. Sweney Composer of "[Are you sitting idle, while there's work to do?]" in Junior Songs John R. Sweney (1837-1899) was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and exhibited musical abilities at an early age. At nineteen he was studying with a German music teacher, leading a choir and glee club, and performing at children’s entertainments. By twenty-two he was teaching at a school in Dover, Delaware. Soon thereafter, he was put in charge of the band of the Third Delaware Regiment of the Union Army for the duration of the Civil War. After the war, he became Professor of Music at the Pennsylvania Military Academy, and director of Sweney’s Cornet Band. He eventually earned Bachelor and Doctor of Music degrees at the Academy. Sweney began composing church music in 1871 and became well-known as a leader of large congregations. His appreciators stated “Sweney knows how to make a congregation sing” and “He had great power in arousing multitudes.” He also became director of music for a large Sunday school at the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia of which John Wanamaker was superintendent (Wanamaker was the founder of the first major department store in Philadelphia). In addition to his prolific output of hymn melodies and other compositions, Sweney edited or co-edited about sixty song collections, many in collaboration with William J. Kirkpatrick. Sweney died on April 10, 1899, and his memorial was widely attended and included a eulogy by Wanamaker. Joe Hickerson from "Joe's Jottings #9" used by permission