Haunting Gospel Song & The River of Life

  This article was written on the same morning it was contemplated, one of the few spontaneous articles of mine.

I published it early on the morning of June 3, 2007.  It was removed a few weeks later.

Here, the article is republished with minor editorial revisions and with the Comment thread. 

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Another Sunday morning, and I have been humming a 19th Century Gospel song.

Written by an otherwise unknown writer, R. Torry, and set to music by the New York City composer and music publisher Asa Hull,  this gospel song is unusual (almost unique) in not mentioning "Jesus", "salvation", "redemption", "the cross", "God", or "heaven".

Instead, it draws upon the images of the eternal city found in the Revelation of St. John and focuses on the soul's longing for refreshment and peace.

I first heard it sung in German by members of the German-American religious sects that thrive in the areas of Pennsylvania in which I grew up.  I believed that it was of German origin because of the pietistic and non-evangelistic words, and because of the reference to the "fatherland".

The plaintive longing of the tune also seemed germanic to me.

Thus, I was surprised to find that it was first written in English, and published in early Sunday School hymn books in America.

The composer also composed several anthems for the Temperance Movement, and sometimes published this composition with those songs.  The image of vast quantities of pure water would be an appropriate antidote to the curse of alcohol, I suppose.

While I do not believe the words or the tune represent the highest examples of hymn-making, I have always loved this Gospel Song for the element of longing that it expresses and for reflecting so well the spiritual allure of the natural phenomena of streams and fountains. 

(NOTE: Scroll down to the link, and play the music as you read the words.)

O Seek That Beautiful Stream

O have you not heard of that beautiful stream
That flows through our Father's land?
Its waters gleam bright in the heavenly light,
And ripple o'er golden sand.

Refrain

O seek that beautiful stream,
O seek that beautiful stream;
Its waters, so free, are flowing for thee,
O seek that beautiful stream.

Its fountains are deep and its waters are pure;
And sweet to the weary soul;
It flows from the throne of Jehovah alone!
O come where its bright waves roll.

Refrain

This beautiful stream is the river of life!
It flows for all nations free!
A balm for each wound in its water is found;
O sinner, it flows for thee!

Refrain

O will you not drink of this beautiful stream,
And dwell on its peaceful shore?
The Spirit says, "Come, all ye weary ones, home,
And wander in sin no more."

Here is the music:

Seek That Beautiful Stream

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Ron (& Buddy, black belt in tae king nap) W., Jun 3, 2007

Peter, Thanks for my morning hymn.

Wendy "Don't Even Think About Tagging Me" R., Jun 3, 2007

Aha! For once I'm not late to the party. But you've made me feel guilty for not going to church.

elizabeth e., Jun 3, 2007

Church is not a place I usually find myself on Sunday morning...instead I seek the natural world to contemplate our existence. This is a hymn I can certainly relate to..."the river of life, crystal clear".

Siouxy Article Writer, Jun 3, 2007

You can find hymns online? That's too cool.

Peter Wimsey, Jun 3, 2007

I have been getting up way too early on Sunday mornings lately. it gives me time to sit and think, and to go surfing for information on these old hymns.

Thanks, Ron.

Not intended to make you feel guilty, Wendy. Enjoy.

Hi elizabeth. The natural images are a large part of my appreciation of this song. I love the image of the "River of Life."

Siouxy, you can find ANYTHING on line.

Kathleen ☼ L ♥, Jun 3, 2007

The words are beautiful!

Peter Wimsey, Jun 3, 2007

Thank You, Kathleen. They have lodged in my memory.

doria c., Jun 4, 2007

A beautiful one to have in your heart,on your mind and out of your mouth.

Peter Wimsey, Jun 4, 2007

Thank you, Doria.

Wilma M., Jun 4, 2007

I didn't get to this on Sunday morning but it is still lovely. I had never heard this hymn before but I find the images very peaceful and soothing. I am drawn to water - lakes, oceans, rivers, whatever - when I am upset or depressed. These words speak to that fondness.

I won't even have to go to church anymore. Just tune in and see what you have posted.

Tonia, who hugs trees G., Jun 4, 2007

Peter - this is a most interesting bit of history to accompany that hymn - I have made this a featured article in The Tree of Life.

Peter Wimsey, Jun 4, 2007

I'm not sure I am up to the task of meeting your needs for spiritual nourishment, Wilma, so don't quit your Church yet. :-)

I will keep posting hymns occassionally, however.

Hi Tonia, I will have to go and look at my article being featured!

Dawn "Texaspoet", Jun 4, 2007

Thank you for the link to the music, Peter. It's beautiful.

I'd love to learn this one and, I don't read music.

♬Dannielle S., Jun 4, 2007

This is a lovely hymn, Peter -- it reminds me of The Ash Grove in the way the natural setting nourishes the soul.

(Of course, if you know the "rugby lyrics" to Ash Grove you'll need to launder your thoughts and try again.)

Peter Wimsey, Jun 5, 2007

Glad you enjoyed it, Dawn. I have quite a few old gospel songs in my memory "changer."

Hi Danielle - I agree that it is more nourishing if not recalled in connection with the "rugby lyrics" to the Ash Grove!

Glad that you enjoyed it.

Lisa Gensheimer, Jun 5, 2007

A perfect pairing with the image, Peter. It is Tuesday lunch, but I am enjoying this Sunday song.

Asa Hull was publishing hymns long before Harry T. Burleigh arrived in New York, but I'm wondering if they would have crossed paths at any point.

Ina Townsend Young, Jun 5, 2007

Peter, the more I read of you, the more I like you. Thank you for bringing some class, honesty and spirituality to gather.

Peter Wimsey, Jun 5, 2007

That is an interesting question, Lisa. I have not seen an answer to it.

Ina, it's great to be a friend of yours. I like your stuff, too! :-)

Martin Mandeville, Jun 9, 2007

I heard this Gospel song a long time ago, Mr. Wimsey. Thanks for sharing it with us. I'm guessing that it would sound pretty cool sung in German. Do you have German words for it?