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Jesus Paid It All

John T. Grape · Elvina M. Hall

Score

Read it and listen to it right here. It can't be downloaded — to sing it with your choir, use it in Cantico.

History

Jesus Paid It All

The words are by Elvina Mabel Hall (1820–1889), who, according to tradition, wrote them in 1865 in her church pew on a flyleaf of the hymnal. The tune is by John Thomas Grape (1835–1915) and dates from 1868.

About the piece

A hymn of repentance and gratitude, with the refrain “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe”. This edition carries the melody with its text, in 17 measures in 3/4.

How to prepare it

Its register is comfortable, D4–D5 (an octave). The most important thing is the phrasing of the refrain: it is the part the assembly will remember best, so rehearse it slowly, giving each syllable its value and avoiding speeding up. With beginning choirs it is a good melody for working on joint entrances, because its opening is very clear.

When to use it

For its penitential and grateful tone, it is very suitable for Lent.