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Richard Wayne Dirksen Centenary

Richard Wayne Dirksen Centenary

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802.7 Jonah – Final Hymn

Genre: Extended Works
Text - Incipit: The ribs and terrors of the whale
Text - Author or Scripture: H. Melville
Performing Forces: SATB orch
Notes:
The ribs and terrors of the whale,
Arched over me a dismal gloom,
While all God’s sun-lit waves rolled by,
And left me deepening down to doom.

I saw the opening maw of hell,
With endless pains and sorrows there;
Which none but they that feel can tell—
Oh, I was plunging to despair.

In black distress, I called my God,
When I could scarce believe him mine,
He bowed his ear to my complaints—
No more the whale did me confine.

With speed he flew to my relief,
As on a radiant dolphin borne;
Awful, yet bright, as lightening shone
The face of my Deliverer God.

My song for ever shall record
That terrible, that joyful hour;
I give the glory to my God,
His all the mercy and the power.
Score:

802.7A Jonah final hymn



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