Hymns — “Come all my young companions, come,” “The Slow Traveller” — by Samson Occom; and “Nativity,” by Isaac Watts, 1773
Date1773
ms number000194
abstractTwo hymns by Occom and one by Isaac Watts, copied out by Occom.
handwritingOccom's hand is clear and legible.
paperThree separate sheets are in good-to-poor condition: the first page (one recto/verso) is large, with moderate staining, creasing and wear. The second page (two recto/verso) is a smaller sheet, with heavy staining, creasing and wear that leads to a loss of text. The last sheet of paper (three recto/verso) is a large sheet folded in half to make four (blank) pages; it is in good condition, with light staining, creasing and wear, and holes that appear to have come from a binding.
inkStrong brown to faded brown.
noteworthyThe third hymn entitled "Nativity" is "The Nativity of Christ" by Isaac Watts, from Horae Lyicae Book 1, 8th edition (London: James Brackstone, 1743), pp 14-15; Occom reverses the order of the last two stanzas, and leaves out stanza 6: "Glory to God that reigns above! Let Peace surround the Earth! Mortals shall know their Maker’s Love, At their Redeemer’s Birth."On three recto, the note “1773” is written in pencil; this note has not been included in the transcription.
And hear me boldly tell,
The w^o^nders of Redeeming Love,
That Sav'd my Soul from Hell,
2) It was but a few Days ago,
I Saw my awful Caſe,
Nothing but hell and dark Diſpare,
Lay plain before my face.
3) O then I Viewd the Damned Crew,
Of all the numerous race,
And I of all that went to hell
Deſerv^e^d the loweſt place
4) Juſtice of god so on me lay,
I could no Comfort find
Till I was willing to forſake,
And leave all my sins behind,
5) The Lord was Strong he bowd my will,
And made ^me^ this to See,
Nothing but Jeſus Cruſified,
Co^u^ld Save a wretch like me.
6) O then I Viewd mount Calvery,
With gods eternal Son
Who on the Cu^r^ſed Tree did Die,
For Sins ^that^ I had done
7) O how Rejoicd I was to think,
A Saviour I had found,
It turnd my Sorrows into Joy,
To hear the Bleſsed Sound,
8) Salvation from ^my^ God on high,
So pleaſently did Ring,
It Sot my Soul at Liberty,
To praiſe my heavenly King,
9) And while I dwell on Earth below
I,ll praiſe my Jeſus here
And then go to yonder Wold
And praiſe my Jeſus there
10) And there thro' all Eternity,
In the Sweet Relms above
There I Shall Sing that bleſed Song
Free grace and Dying Love
And leave me here behind,
Don't Stop for me for now See,
The Lord is juſt and kind.
2) Go on, go on my Soul Says go,
And I,ll Come after you,
Tho' I'm behind, yet I Can find,
I,ll Sing Hosan^n^a too.
3) Lord give you Strength, that you may run,
And keep your footsteps right,
Tho' faſt you go, and I So Slow,
You are not out of Sight.
4) When you get to the Worlds above,
And all his glory See,
When you get home, your Journey's done,
Then Look you out for me.
5) For I will come faſt as I Can,
A long that way I Steer
Lord give me Strength, I Shall at length
Be won^one^ amonſgſt you there.
6) There all together we Shall be,
Together we will Sing,
Together we will praiſe our god,
And everlaſting King.
And Send your Fears a way
News from the Reigions of the Skies
Salvations Born to Day
2) Jeſus the God whom Angels fear
Coms down to dwell with you
To Day he makes his enterance here But not as Monarchs do
3) No gold nor purple Swadling Bands
Nor Royal shining Things
A Manger for his Cradle Stands
And holds the King of Kings
4) Go Shephards where the Infant lies
And his humble Throne
With Tears of Joy in all your Eyes
Go Shephards Kiſs the Son
5) Thus Gabriel Sang and Straight around
The Heavenly Armies throng
They Tune their Harps to lofty Skies
And thus Conclude the Song
6) Glory to god that Reigns above
That pitied us forlorn
W[gap: worn_edge][guess: e jo]in to Sing our Makers Love
[gap: worn_edge][guess: For there's] a Saviour Born
7) Lord! and shall Angels have their Song
And men no Tunes to raiſe
O! may we loſe theſe uſeleſs Tongues
When we forget to Praiſe