Scripture Verse

Do you love Me? John 21:16

Introduction

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Fanny Crosby
1820–1915

Words: Fan­ny Cros­by, in New Sac­red Songs, ed­it­ed by How­ard Doane (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: 1872). Some hym­nals show the au­thor as El­la Dale, one of Fan­ny’s pseu­do­nyms.

Music: Is­tan­bul W. How­ard Doane, 1872 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

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W. Howard Doane
1832–1915

Lyrics

Jesus, I love Thee, Thou art to me
Dearer than ever mortal can be;
Jesus, I love Thee, Savior divine,
Earth has no friendship constant as Thine.
Tenderly folded, safe on Thy breast,
There be my refuge, there let me rest.

Full of compassion, loving and mild,
Thou art my father, I am Thy child;
Thou wilt forgive me, when I am wrong;
Thou art my comfort, Thou art my song.
Blessèd Redeemer, precious to me,
Draw me still closer, closer to Thee.

Jesus, I love Thee, reign in my heart,
Oh, may Thy Spirit never depart.
Jesus, I love Thee, yes, Thou art mine—
Living or dying, still I am Thine.
Jesus, I love Thee, Thou art to me
Dearer than ever mortal can be.