Take my life and let it be

TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE  – EMHB 400; YMHB 412

            Tune: Hendon

Presenter: Sis. V. O. Odunayo

This Hymn would always be found in that section of Church Hymn Books entitled “Consecration, dedication and discipleship”. It is always sung at Confirmation or other Service where commitment or re-dedication is being attached to the Christian Life.

Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879) was born in Astley Worcestershire, England into a home that was rich in piety and Christian music. Her father was William Henry Havergal, an Evangelical Anglican Minister, a Church Organist and a Composer of Hymn Tunes. Frances began to write verses at the tender age of 7. Her insatiable thirst for Scriptures led her to memorize the entire New Testament. She was contralto soloist and a brilliant classical pianist. She gave her life to Christ at the age of 15. Throughout her life, she was frail and delicate in health and died at the age of 42, on June 3^rd, 1879. According to a friend of hers. She once expressed that the angels would have orders to let her alone a bit when she got to heaven.

Her output of hymns was considerable and included the following:

I am trusting thee Lord Jesus

Who is on the Lord’s side?

Another year is dawning.

She also composed the music for these two hymns:

Take my life and let it be consecrated …….. was written on 4^th February 1874, and published in miss Havergal’s loyal responses of 1878. It was written and first printed on 12 two line stanzas. A citation from Romans 12:1 sometimes prefaces the hymn ……” Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God. Other biblical references are (a) Isaiah 52:29 (b) Psalm 34:1 and (c) Luke 21:2-4.

When she wrote take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to thee, it was for her prayer. When she penned the word take my silver and my gold, she did exactly that. She gave 50 pieces of Jewelry to the Church Missionary Society including a Jewel Cabinet that said was fit for a countess. She retained only a brooch for a daily wear that was a memorial of her parents and a locket with a portrait of her niece who pre-deceased her.

Of all the tune that abound for this hymn, Frances has always insisted that her hymn be sung in her father’s original tune “Patmos” which was written in 1869 for another hymn and later became known as “Consecration”. Other tunes, to mention a few are Nottingham (from twelfth mass) Emma (by Paul Wright) 1951, this tune was composed for the present words for use at the Festival of Methodist Association of Youth Clubs held in 1983; It was named after the Composer’s first daughter, Emma Jane, born 22^nd June, 1979. Other tunes are St. Bees by J. B. Dykes (1823-76). Vienna by J. H. Knecht (1752-1817). Also our tune for today which is Hendon.

May I respectfully invite you? Reverend, Ministers, Brothers and Sisters to enjoy the singing of this favorite Hymn to the tune.

EMHB  400

1.    Take my life, and let it be

            Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

            Take my moments and my days;

            Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

2.    Take my hands, and let them move

            At the impulse of Thy love.

            Take my feet, and let them be

            Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3.    Take my voice, and let me sing

            Always, only for my King.

            Take my lips, and let them be

            Filled with messages from Thee.

4.    Take my silver and my gold;

            Not a mite would I withhold.

            Take my intellect, and use

            Every power as Thou shalt choose.

     5.    Take my will, and make it Thine;

            It shall be no longer mine.

            Take my heart-it is Thine own;

            It shall be Thy royal throne.

6.         Take my love; my Lord, I pour

            At Thy feet its treasure-store.

            Take myself, and I will be

            Ever only all for Thee!

YMHB 412

1.            Gba aiye mi, Oluwa,

            Ya si mimo fun 'ra Re.

            Gba gbogbo akoko mi;

            Ki nwon kun fun iyin Re.

2.         Gba owo mi, jeki nwon

            Ma sise fun ife Re.

            Gba ese mi, k' O si je

            Ki nwon ma sare fun O.

3.         Gba ohun mi, jeki nma

            Korin f' Oba mi titi.

            Gba ete mi, jeki nwon

            Ma jise fun O titi.

4.         Gba wura, fadaka mi,

            Okan nki o da duro.

            Gba ogbon mi, k' O si lo

            Gege bi O ba ti fe.

5.         Gb' aiya mi, se ni Tire;

            Ki o tun je temi mo.

            Gba okan mi, Tire ni;

            Se n' ite igunwa Re.

6.         Gba ife mi; Oluwa,

            Mo fi gbogbo re fun O.

            Gba emi pa, ki nma je

            Tire nikan, titi lai!

Adesegun Akitoye

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