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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.

I will not be afraid

Comfort in Trials By the Lord’s Arms

English678
1
I will not be afraid;
I will not be afraid;
I will look upward,
And travel onward,
And not be afraid.
2
He says He will be with me;
He says He will be with me;
He goes before me,
And is beside me,
So I’m not afraid.
3
His arms are underneath me;
His arms are underneath me;
His hand upholds me,
His love enfolds me,
So I’m not afraid.
4
His Word will stand for ever;
His Word will stand for ever;
His truth it shall be
My shield and buckler,
So I’m not afraid.
5
He will give grace and glory;
He will give grace and glory;
His cross before me,
His banner o’er me,
So I’m not afraid.
6
So we go singing onward;
So we go singing onward;
We’re pressing forward,
We’re marching upward,
To Him unafraid.

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Brenda

Portland, Maine, United States

Nov 11, 2023

This song just came to me this morning, which I haven't sung for about 60 years. How wonderful to find all the lyrics, including the added lyrics here. Thank you!

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Don Winnes

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

May 1, 2020

I learned this song almost 60 years ago when I was 4 or 5, and I still love to sing it! We sang the following additional verse before verse 6 above:

He says He will do marvels.
He says He will do marvels.
Above our asking, or even thinking,
So look up and praise!
See Habakkuk 1:5 and Ephesians 3:20-21

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Nancy

Mar 30, 2020

I believe this was written during the polio epidemic.

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Jeff Frank

Westerville, OH, United States

Mar 21, 2020

Very appropriate for our current situation.

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June Armstrong

Clinton, Pennsylvania, United States

Oct 16, 2019

I learned this song in the 40's when I was a teenager and have remembered most of it. It's amazing how a song will stick in your memory for so long. Thank you, Gladys.

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Mary Roberts

Lakewood Ranch, FL, United States

Jul 11, 2018

Elizabeth Elliot mentioned in her radio program that the missionary, Gladys Aylward, The Small Woman, sung this hymn with the 100 children as they made their incredible journey over the mountains. What courage they had! A blessing, thank you for teaching us this hymn, it gives us strength today.

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Tami

Prairieville, Louisiana, United States

May 18, 2017

Thank you. Elisabeth Elliot referred to this hymn in Living in the Light of God's Word. It was nice to put music with the words.

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Sharon Miller

Rush City, Minnesota, United States

Nov 2, 2016

Awesome to find this!! I'm also 69 and we sang this in Sunday School! Sometimes you just can't get those old songs (which is good!) out of your mind. PTL and God bless you!

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Diane Peil

Roeland Park, KS, United States

Jun 29, 2012

I learned this song as a youth -- I'm now 69 and sang it whenever needed and was telling my VBS class and they loved it -- two girls were in a scarey situation the day after and shared how they sang the first verse. Our God is so good!

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