Gracious Savior

As someone who has a love for old hymns and gospel songs, and as someone who has tried his hand at composing music for those old words, I continue to be impressed by the work of Christopher Miner. As many folks who are familiar with Reformed University Fellowship know (where his music is especially well know), Miner has produced many new musical treatments of old hymns that have been well received in churches and ministries. His songs are singable, memorable and simple, while remaining musically interesting.

While Miner's work is (rightly) most well known from having been sung corporately, his own recordings of his songs are lovely and powerful in their own right. Accompanying himself with simple fingerpicking and strumming, recorded by what sounds like one microphone, Miner walks earnestly and simply through the potent old lyrics of Puritans and "Negro" spiritualists that he has chosen, riding on the current of his own winsome melodies, all the while conveying the sense that he is singing with and to the Lord who is both the one who wrestles with us to the point that after encountering him we walk with a limp, but also the one who promises to always walk with us.

My wife is especially fond of this song, singing it to our son many nights before bed. I can hardly think of a better lullaby.

Vito Aiuto

Gracious Savior

1. Gracious Savior, gentle Shepherd,
Our little ones are dear to Thee;
Gathered with Thine arms and carried
In Thy bosom may they be
Sweetly, gently, safely tended,
From all want and danger free.

2. Tender Shepherd, never leave them,
From Thy fold to go astray;
By Thy look of love directed,
May they walk the narrow way;
Thus direct them, and protect them
Lest they fall an easy prey.

3. Let Thy holy Word instruct them:
Fill their minds with heav'nly light;
Let Thy love and grace constrain them
To approve what e'er is right,
Take Thine easy yoke and wear it,
And to prove Thy burden light.

4. Cleanse their hearts from sinful folly
In the stream Thy love supplied;
Mingled streams of blood and water
Flowing from Thy wounded side:
And to heav'nly pastures lead them,
Where Thine own still waters glide.

©1997 Christopher Miner Music.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.


http://www.christopherminer.com/cd.php