Saturday, June 13, 2009

It Is Well With My Soul (remake of "When Peace Like a River")

As loathe as I am to mess with what is an old favorite, I find myself dissatisfied with “When Peace Like a River.” Like “I Love to Tell the Story,” which doesn’t actually tell the story of Jesus and His love, “When Peace Like a River” doesn’t actually explain why “It is well with my soul.” I put pen to paper, and this is the result. I’m sure it won’t get any use—people don’t like it when you mess with their favorites—but I thought I’d try.


It Is Well With My Soul

1. The Word in the water does wash sins away.
That Baptismal grace makes me whole.
And though I still sin I can faithfully say,
“Jesus Christ makes it well with my soul.”
(chorus) It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.

2. The gift, Absolution, comes from Christ Himself—
He touches my lips with a coal.
I kneel and confess all my sins—wretched filth—
And His Word makes it well with my soul. (chorus)

3. His body and blood in the Supper will feed
My spirit and body—the whole.
These gifts—means of grace—they provide all I need
For my soul—thank the Lord!—for my soul! (chorus)

∆ 4. O Father in heaven, I’m yearning to feast
Where sin, death and hell take no toll.
You reign with the Spirit and Christ, our High Priest.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! (chorus)


© 1873, 2009 Horatio Gates Spafford, Alan Kornacki, Jr.
11 8 11 9 refrain
Tune: VILLE DU HAVRE
Occasion: Cross and Comfort 

4 comments:

Rev. Alan J. Wollenburg said...

Hey, Alan - great hymn! I'm saving that for sometime! Peace, you with the very great name! :-)

Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr. said...

Thanks, you who shares the very great name!

Use, share, whatever.

Anonymous said...

I am passing this on to my pastor with the request we use it in Divine Service. Many in my parish seem to love the hymn, so we may as well use the Lutheran version instead.

Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr. said...

Anon-

Feel free to use and share.