This afternoon I discovered Thou True Vine That Heals The Nations. I really like the words and tune combination. This tune sounds familiar but I can't put my finger on it. Anyone know?
Here are the words:
Thou true Vine, that heals the nations,
Tree of life, thy branches we.
They who leave thee fade and wither,
None bear fruit except in thee.
Cleanse us, make us sane and simple,
Till we merge our lives in thine,
Gain ourselves in thee, the Vintage,
Give ourselves through thee, the Vine.
Nothing can we do without thee;
On thy life depends each one.
If we keep thy words and love thee,
All we ask for shall be done.
May we, loving one another,
Radiant in thy light abide;
So through us, made fruitful by thee,
Shall our God be glorified.
The words are credited to Percy Dearmer in Songs of Praise, 1925
3 comments:
The tune is called "Pleading Savior." It's in our Mennonite Hymnbook. It's well known among Mennonite Church USA folk, I believe.
Interestingly, it's also well known in Catholic circles, sung to a text "Sing of Mary."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ7jREEdOFI
Thanks, Will. I searched around the internet after posting this and found that it is in Hymnal: a Worship Book. I have this book, but the notes are all strangely "sol". So I thought maybe it would be in The Mennonite Hymnal that I have (which it is, nicely in 7 shapes).
This is a great tune. I didn't know it particularly, but it is uncannily familiar. I suspect the scholars on the Fasola discussions list could tell us what "tune family" it belongs to.
The Mennonite Hymnal says it is an American Folk Hymn from the Christian Lyre. Interesting that it is also well known in Catholic circles. The rendition you linked sounds, even if it isn't a cappella!
"Sing of Mary pure and lowly"is actually an Anglican hymn which the Roman Catholics borrowed. The tune Pleading Saviour is pentatonic and is used as the setting of a number of hymns, including "Jesus calls us," "Lord, whose love in humble service," and "Thou True Vine." "Thou True Vine" is also an Anglican hymn.
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