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O How I Love Jesus

Tradicional · Frederick Whitfield

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

O How I Love Jesus

The text “There is a name I love to hear” is by Frederick Whitfield (1829–1904) and was published in 1855; its refrain, “O how I love Jesus”, gives the hymn its name. The melody is traditional, from the nineteenth century.

About the piece

A hymn of personal devotion with a very simple refrain that the whole assembly can sing. The edition carries the melody with its text, in 18 measures in 6/8.

How to prepare it

The range is very small, G4–D5 (a fifth), so any assembly can sing it. The difficulty is one of rhythm: the 6/8 is felt in two long pulses, with a gentle sway. Rehearse with the metronome marking only two beats per measure, and let the refrain be the moment of greatest volume and warmth.

When to use it

Suitable for Ordinary Time, in simple celebrations and with communities that are just beginning to sing together.