Hymn: What can wash away my sin
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| 1 | What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. |
| Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know,Nothing but the blood of Jesus. | |
| 2 | For my cleansing this I see— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! For my pardon this my plea— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! |
| Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know,Nothing but the blood of Jesus. | |
| 3 | Nothing can my sin erase Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Naught of works, ’tis all of grace— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! |
| Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know,Nothing but the blood of Jesus. | |
| 4 | This is all my hope and peace— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! This is all my righteousness— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! |
| Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know,Nothing but the blood of Jesus. |
Hymn: What can wash away my sin?
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| 1 | What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. |
| Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know,Nothing but the blood of Jesus. | |
| 2 | For my cleansing this I see— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! For my pardon this my plea— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! |
| Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know,Nothing but the blood of Jesus. | |
| 3 | Nothing can my sin erase Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Naught of works, ’tis all of grace— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! |
| Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know,Nothing but the blood of Jesus. | |
| 4 | This is all my hope and peace— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! This is all my righteousness— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! |
| Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know,Nothing but the blood of Jesus. |
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
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Text:
Robert Lowry wrote this piece in 1876, shortly after he was appointed pastor of a Baptist church in Plainfield, New Jersey, where he would remain for the remainder of his life. This particular hymn was initially published in the same year inGospel Hymnsby William H. Doane and Lowry, with the biblical verse Hebrews 9:22 printed beneath the title. Originally, there were six stanzas, but nowadays, just the first four are usually performed as a whole. The two that aren’t utilized begin with the phrases “Now by this I’ll overcome” and “Glory!
“This is what I sing.” Throughout the book, the central focus is Christ’s atoning act on the cross, which is depicted by the picture of His poured blood.
Tune:
PLAINFIELD is a basic pentatonic melody that is easy to learn. It was written by Robert Lowry in 1876 specifically for this book, with which it is inextricably linked throughout the novel. The title of the song is derived from the town in where Lowry was most likely residing at the time of its composition. The use of repeated notes and motifs, as well as a limited range of a fifth, making this a relatively simple song for congregational singing.
When/Why/How:
This hymn may be performed at any time of the year, but it is especially appropriate when the idea of redemption is prominent in the service. Children’s courses might benefit from the use of this simple song to reinforce the message that Jesus is the only one who can save them from their sins. To make it more interactive, sing the stanzas in a call-and-response style, with the leader singing the first and third lines and the children responding with “Nothing but Jesus’ blood.” Even though this hymn is suitable for congregational singing, an instrumental version, such as “Nothing but the Blood,” a handbell setting that highlights the simplicity of the song, would be a fine choice for Communion music.
“The Power of His Blood” is a choral mashup of three gospel songs with the topic of Jesus’ atoning blood as the unifying thread running throughout.
The tempo is lively, which may be reinforced by an optional instrumental ensemble if you choose to include one.
MuseScore is a free music notation application that can open and edit MusicXML scores.
Nothing but the Blood > Lyrics
| Robert Lowry,pub. 1876copyright status isPublic Domain
Subjects: Blood, Cleansing, SalvationScripture:Hebrews 9:22; 1 John 1:7PlainfieldRobert Lowry,pub. 1876copyright status isPublic Domain Key:FMeter:7.8.7.8 R Learn about music formats.viewsheet musicplaymidiThis song in other languages:.pdfDeutsch (German).pdfPусский (Russian) |
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- What is it that can cleanse me of my sin? There is nothing else save the blood of Jesus
- What is it that will restore my health? There is nothing else save the blood of Jesus
- Refrain:Oh! The flow is priceless, and it makes me as white as snow
- And There is no other source I am aware of, nothing save the blood of Jesus
- I beg your forgiveness, but this is what I see: nothing but the blood of Jesus. Nothing except the blood of Jesus, I beg you, will suffice for my purification. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can make up for sin but the blood of Jesus. There is nothing good that I have done, nothing save for the blood of Jesus. This is the source of all my hope and serenity, and nothing else save the blood of Jesus
- This is the entirety of my righteousness, based only on the blood of Jesus
- Now, through the blood of Jesus, I will triumph—nothing else will suffice. As a result of this, I will arrive at my destination—nothing but the blood of Jesus
- Glory! Glory! This is what I sing—nothing but the blood of Jesus
- This is what I bring—nothing but the blood of Jesus
- This is what I offer all my praise for—nothing but the blood of Jesus
History of Hymns: “Nothing but the Blood”
Written by C. Michael Hawn “It’s only the blood that matters.” Robert Lowry is a writer who lives in the United Kingdom. Number 362 in the United Methodist Hymnal “What is it that can wash away my sin?” There is nothing else save the blood of Jesus. What is it that will restore my health? There is nothing else save the blood of Jesus. “How precious is the flow that turns me white as snow; I know of no other font but the blood of Jesus; I know of no other fount than the blood of Jesus.” A large number of the most venerable nineteenth-century texts and songs from the United States have been contributed to us by Robert Lowry (1826-1899).
- Lowry was a graduate of Bucknell University and later served as a professor of belles lettres at the institution, where he received his D.D.
- His gospel songs gained widespread recognition while he was serving in Brooklyn, where he frequently collaborated with William H.
- “Nothing but the Blood,” according to the Rev.
- Young, editor of The United Methodist Hymnal, “was near the top of the list.
- “Nothing but the Blood” contains all the hallmarks of a classic gospel hymn in its structure and delivery.
- If the singer sings all four stanzas, he or she will be required to repeat the words “nothing but the blood of Jesus” a total of twelve times.
- The language is straightforward and unambiguous, with all of the words being one- or two-syllables in length.
The verse from Hebrews 9:22 was originally printed above the song in the first edition of Lowry and William H.
(1876).
Throughout the poem, Lowry uses a call-and-response structure that quickly engages the vocalist.
“Nothing except the blood of Jesus,” the response is unequivocal and unambiguous: “Nothing else.” A second inquiry follows, which is, “What can restore my sense of completeness?” The response is emphatic once more: “Nothing but the blood of Jesus,” says the author.
The subsequent stanzas are infused with the themes of forgiveness, cleansing, atonement, and righteousness.
The phrase “white as snow” appears in the original text as an allusion to Isaiah 1:18, which states, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” This was modified to “as brilliant as snow” by the hymnal committee.
The following is the missing stanza five: It is only through the blood of Jesus that I will be victorious, and it is only through the blood of Jesus that I will achieve my destination.
Some singers in the twenty-first century are offended by this hymn, as well as others such as William Cowper’s “There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood” (UM Hymnal, No.
According to the United Methodist Hymnal, No.
The crucifixion is described in this passage as a historical occurrence in the Bible.
In a Wesley song, the word “grace” can frequently be substituted for the word “blood.” If the last line of the fourth stanza of “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (UM Hymnal, No.
“And Can It Be That I Should Gain?” (UM Hymnal, No.
Despite the fact that many consider “Nothing but the Blood” to be a relic of the past, it continues to be performed today, particularly in evangelical settings.
One of the most well-known renditions of this song is by the renowned Australian band Hillsong United, which can be accessed readily on YouTube.
He is a famous professor of church music at the Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas, USA. He also serves as the director of the sacred music program at the seminary.
Nothing But The Blood
“Does anything have the power to cleanse me of my sin?” The only thing that can save you is the blood of Jesus! So, what is it that will restore my health? The only thing that can save you is the blood of Jesus! There is no other source I know of that can make me as white as snow; there is nothing else I know of that can make me as white as snow but the blood of Jesus. Many of the most venerable nineteenth-century lyrics and songs from the United States have been attributed to Robert Lowry (1826-1899).
- The author and composer of this hymn was born in Philadelphia and raised in the city.
- While serving in Brooklyn, he became well-known for his gospel songs, frequently teaming with William H.
- As noted by the Rev.
- Young, editor of The United Methodist Hymnal, “Nothing but the Blood” “was near the top of the list.
- Although this hymn is well-liked by many, it is reviled by others, particularly those who despise “blood-hymn” songs.
- After singing each of the four stanzas, the singer will be required to repeat the sentence, “nothing but the blood of Jesus,” twelve times.
- Because all of the words are one- or two-syllables, the language is straightforward and straightforward.
The verse from Hebrews 9:22 was originally printed above the hymn in the first edition of Lowry and William H.
(1876).
The first stanza opens with a question: “What can wipe away my sin?” “Nothing except the blood of Jesus,” the response is unequivocal and unambiguous.
It is this pattern of call and response, along with the firm, almost militaristic rhythms of the music, that provides the impression of cheerleading.
The refrain is somewhat different in the United Methodist Hymnal.
This was modified to “as brilliant as snow” by the hymnal committee after public feedback.
stanza five, which was left out, reads like this: The blood of Jesus is all that will help me now to overcome, and it is the blood of Jesus that will see me through to my home.
Some singers in the twenty-first century are offended by this hymn, as well as others such as William Cowper’s “There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood” (UM Hymnal, No.
Those with more refined taste will examine each use of the term in its proper context.
361, Augustus Toplady’s eighteenth-century hymn, “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me,” has the words “let the water and blood,/from thy wounded side that streamed.” in the opening stanza.
In his songs, Charles Wesley frequently made use of the phrase “blood.” While used in a gruesome or gratuitous manner, it is most commonly used as a synonym for grace.
It is possible to sing “his grace availed for me” as the final line of the fourth stanza of “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (UM Hymnal, No.
“And Can It Be That I Should Gain?” (UM Hymnal, No.
“Nothing but the Blood” may be considered a throwback by some, yet it continues to be performed in contemporary interpretations, particularly in evangelical settings.
One of the most well-known renditions of this song is by the prominent Australian band Hillsong United, which can be obtained easily online.
At the Perkins School of Theology, Dr. Hawn is a famous professor of church music. His responsibilities include serving as director of the sacred music program at the seminary.
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus — Hymnology Archive
I. The Origins of the Term Robert Lowry (1826–1899) moved to Plainfield, New Jersey, in 1875, after serving as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and professor of belles lettres (fine writing and literature) at his alma mater, the University of Lewisburg (now Bucknell University), where he had been for the previous six years. He took up his new position as pastor of the newly organized Park Avenue Baptist Church, which was established in 1875. One of his most memorable songs, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus,” is thought to have been penned shortly after his arrival to New Jersey.
- (See “When we all get to heaven” for further information on the significance of the Ocean Grove gatherings.) When it was initially published inGospel Music: A Choice Collection of Hymns and Melodies (Chicago: BiglowMain, 1877 |
- 1), it was presented in six stanzas with a refrain, originally opening “What may wipe away my stain?” 1.
- When the first line was changed to read “What can wash away my sin?” it became widely popular very quickly, as in the collections Spiritual Songs for Gospel Meetings and the Sunday School(1878), edited by Elisha Hoffman and J.H.
- Tenney and Aldine S.
- Lowry favored the word “stain” in his own collections, up to and including The Royal Hymnal(1898), and it was taken as “stain” into the popularGospel Hymnsseries of Ira Sankey; nonetheless, the word “sin” has become the dominant version.
- II.
One of the songs in the first collection he edited for BiglowMain was “None but Jesus,” which he subsequently described as “the greatest and most evangelical hymn [he] ever penned.” The song was titled “None but Jesus,” and it began with the words: “Weeping will not rescue me, I’ll die without Jesus.” Even though my face was drenched in tears, it was unable to alleviate my concerns, nor could it wipe away the misdeeds of years past—weeping would not save me.
Jesus cried and died for me; Jesus suffered on the cross; Jesus patiently waits to set me free; He is the only one who can deliver me from my predicament.
“Indeed, under the law practically everything is purged with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins,” reads Hebrews 9:22, which states that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (ESV).
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace,” says Ephesians 1:7, and in the same passage of Hebrews, we see the permanence of this gift, as opposed to the cyclical offerings of the old law, because “he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” says the Bible (Heb.
In addition, the unique idea of acleansingblood is embedded in this hymn, both in the refrain and in the second stanza, two ideas that are otherwise incompatible, but which are found in a description of the great multitude of heaven, who “have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev.
- The rejection of good deeds in the third stanza is based on verses such as Ephesians 2:8–10 in the Bible.
- Any righteousness that we can aspire to achieve is given to us by Jesus Christ (2 Cor.
- Stanza 5 illustrates a faith that triumphs through adversity (1 John 2:13–14, 4:4, 5:4–5).
- In terms of music, it is a simple gospel hymn to learn since it has both an interlinear refrain (the repeated interjection of “Nothing but the blood of Jesus”) and a complete refrain, and it only employs two chords, I and V.
Its immense popularity may surely be attributed to its melodic simplicity, which is combined with its extensive language. Hymnology Archive published an article by CHRIS FENNER on May 8, 2020.
Footnotes:
- Ira Sankey, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus,”My Life and the Story of the Gospel Hymns(Philadelphia: Sunday School Times Co., 1907), p. 333:Archive.org
- J.H. Hall, “Rev. Robert Lowry, D.D.,”Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers(New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1914), p. 74:Archive.org
- Robert Low
Related Resources:
“What may wipe away my guilt,” in William J. Reynolds, Companion to Baptist Hymnal (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1976), pp. 238–239. In Richard E. Gerig’s “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus,” published in The Worshiping Church: Worship Leaders’ Edition (Carol Stream, IL: Hope, 1990), number 471 is used as an example. Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1993), p. 496. Carlton R. Young, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus,” Companion to the United Methodist Hymnal (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1993). Robert Cottrill’s “Nothing but the blood,” published in Wordwise Hymns on January 16, 2012, is a hymn about Jesus’ blood.
1000 Songs/What can wash away my sin (Robert Lowry) – Wikiversity
What is it that can wipe away my sin (Robert Lowry) 1000 Songs
Text
What is it that may cleanse me of my sin? Nothing except the blood of Jesus can restore my health; what else can I turn to? There is nothing else save the blood of Jesus. It is the flow that is so lovely, it makes me as white as snow. There is no other source I am aware of, nothing save the blood of Jesus. This is my appeal for forgiveness; for my cleaning, I see nothing but the blood of Jesus; for my pardon, I see nothing but the blood of Jesus. There is nothing else save the blood of Jesus.
There is nothing else save the blood of Jesus; There is nothing positive that I have accomplished other than via the blood of Jesus.
Nothing except the blood of Jesus cleanses me; this is the whole total of my righteousness.
Now, nothing but the blood of Jesus will stand between me and victory; nothing but the blood of Jesus will stand between me and my destination.
Translations/Challenges
Chart of the Public Domain
Editor’s Choice
Lowry was born on March 12, 1826, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was well-known as a fantastic musician as well as a terrific preacher, who was both quite intelligent and extremely amusing at the same time. Despite the fact that he is well-known as a wonderful composer, his biggest ambition was to become a preacher; yet, his songs have continued to live on long after his death.
Author’s circumstances
Following the death of William B. Bradbury, the proprietor of a well-established music publishing firm, Lowry was approached and invited to become a partner in the publishing company. Lowry’s musical impact developed as he advanced in his studies, and the two grew together. The greatest musical textbooks he could find were used in his quest for knowledge, and he got copies of some of the most famous musical pieces available. When asked, “Do you write the words to match the music, or the music to fit the lyrics?” I replied, “Do you write the words to fit the music?” Lowry expressed himself as follows: “I don’t have a strategy.
I keep an eye on my moods, and if something nice comes to me, whether it’s words or music, I scribble it down, no matter where I am, whether at home or on the street.
As a result of the constant flow of music going through my head, I believe my brain is a type of spinning machine.
The tunes of practically all of the hymns I’ve composed have been completed on paper before they’ve been tested out on the piano or organ. Quite frequently, both the text and the music for a hymn have been created at the same time in the same place.”