The Sheltering Rock

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There's a firm sheltering rock, and a strong fortress tower

Author: William J. Kirkpatrick
Tune: [There's a firm sheltering rock]
Published in 11 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 There’s a firm shelt’ring Rock, and a strong fortress tow’r,
Where the weary and weak can renew failing pow’r,
Where the tempted and care-laden spirit may fly,—
O lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.

Chorus:
Lead me to the Rock,
Lead me to the Rock,
Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.

2 ‘Tis a refuge and rest thro’ the conflicts of life,
‘Tis a balm to the soul, when dismayed in the strife;
‘Tis a spring of salvation, a stream never dry,
A never failing Rock that is higher than I. [Chorus]

3 ‘Tis my comfort and stay, my deliv’rer and joy,
When the heart is o’erwhelmed with the ills that annoy;
When the fierce sweeping tempest of sorrow is nigh,
O lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. [Chorus]

4 When the few joys of life are all flitting away,
Like the soft fading light at the closing of the day,
When the shadow of death steals the light form my eye
O, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. [Chorus]

Source: Gospel Praise Book.: a collection of choice gems of sacred song suitable for church service, gospel praise meetings, and family devotions. (Complete ed.) #25

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Author: William J. Kirkpatrick

William J. Kirkpatrick (b. Duncannon, PA, 1838; d. Philadelphia, PA, 1921) received his musical training from his father and several other private teachers. A carpenter by trade, he engaged in the furniture business from 1862 to 1878. He left that profession to dedicate his life to music, serving as music director at Grace Methodist Church in Philadelphia. Kirkpatrick compiled some one hundred gospel song collections; his first, Devotional Melodies (1859), was published when he was only twenty-one years old. Many of these collections were first published by the John Hood Company and later by Kirkpatrick's own Praise Publishing Company, both in Philadelphia. Bert Polman Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	There's a firm sheltering rock, and a strong fortress tower
Title:	The Sheltering Rock
Author:	William J. Kirkpatrick
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	Lead me to the Rock
Copyright:	Public Domain