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About Numbered Notation

Numbered Notation (also called Jianpu, 简谱) writes each melody note as a number from 1 to 7 instead of a note on a staff. The number shows the note's position in the song's scale -- not its exact pitch -- so the same tune looks identical no matter what key it's sung in.

Within one octave, the numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 correspond to the familiar do re mi fa sol la ti. A dot above a number raises it an octave higher; a dot below lowers it an octave lower -- no dot means the middle, as-written octave.

A plain number lasts one beat. A dash (-) right after a number holds that same note for one more beat. A line underneath a number shortens it instead -- one line is half a beat, two lines a quarter of a beat. A 0 is a rest: silence for one beat.

The label at the top of the sheet, like "1=C" or "1=Ab", shows which pitch scale degree 1 ("do") is tuned to. A song in a minor key is labeled "6=X" instead -- scale degree 6 ("la") is the true tonic. Chord names printed above the notes (like "C" or "G7") always use their familiar letter names, never numbers.

For example, under a "1=C" heading, the numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 sound as C D E F G A B. Under a "1=G" heading, those very same numbers sound as G A B C D E F# instead -- same shape, different key.

To Calv’ry let our eyes be turned

The Way of the Cross Turning to the Cross

English638
1
To Calv’ry let our eyes be turned,
With Calv’ry love our hearts be burned;
For there in Calv’ry’s awful hour,
Love conquered sin and Satan’s pow’r.
2
Lord, turn our gaze upon Thy Cross,
Counting all else not gain but loss;
For this we pray, this is our plea—
Lord, keep our eyes on Calvary.

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Steve Miller

Detroit, MI

Apr 13, 2014

Amy Carmichael was born in Ireland. Even though she was raised in a Christian home, as a child she was considered a wild Irish girl and a rebel. She received the Lord as a teenager during her boarding school years. Her strong disposition and determination led her to serve the Lord wherever she could. In 1892 she attended the Keswick Convention and became the first missionary supported by the Keswick Missionary Committee. The Keswick Convention began in 1875 in the Lake District of England "as a continuous week of meetings for the deepening of the spiritual life. Many important speakers were invited to take part, and a great number of people were helped to rededicate their lives, take up some form of Christian service in Britain, or go overseas as missionaries." ("Amy Carmichael" by Kathleen White 1986). Amy offered herself to the China Inland Mission but was refused due to health reasons. Determined not to forsake her calling, she first went on her own to Japan. After working strenuously for 15 mos. she was forced to take a rest and returned to England. In 1895 she left England for India where she eventually set up the Dohnavur Fellowship to rescue children who were forced into idol temple service. She served in India for 56 years. Amy Carmichael was a poet, hymn writer, author, and leader of the Dohnavur Fellowship. - Songs of the Spirit by Martin

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