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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.

What can wash away my sin

Gospel The Blood

English1008
1
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
 
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
2
For my cleansing this I see—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
For my pardon this my plea—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
3
Nothing can my sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Naught of works, ’tis all of grace—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
4
This is all my hope and peace—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my righteousness—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

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Kefas Ishaya Bawa

Jos, Plateau, Nigeria

Aug 16, 2026

Indeed the blood of Jesus has washed me 😊🙏

Praise the Lord 🙌🤲🙏

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Christy Bala

FCT, Abuja Capital Territory, Nigeria

Jul 19, 2026

Thank you Lord for the precious blood you shared for me, today I am free.

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Jobie

Indiana, United States

Jul 16, 2026

The saying is trustworthy & deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

1 Timothy 1:15

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Mathan Garcia

Cincdihnati, Ohio, United States

Jun 21, 2026

Amen

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Ana Lara

Storrs, Connecticut, United States

Jan 11, 2026

Robert Lowry was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 12, 1826. His fondness for music was exhibited from his earliest years. As a child, he entertained himself with different musical instruments that came into his hands.

At the age of 17 he joined the first Baptist Church of Philadelphia, and soon became an active worker in Sunday-school as teacher and chorister. At 22 he gave himself to the work of the ministry, and studied at the University of Leesburg, Pennsylvania. Then at 28 he graduated with the highest honors of his class.

In the same year of his graduation, he entered the work of the ministry. He served as pastor at different cities in West Chester, Pennsylvania, in New York City, in Brooklyn, and in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, as well as becoming a professor at the University with an honorary degree of D. D. It was a very productive time for him— a total of 21 years serving in this capacity.

Then in 1875 he became Pastor Park Avenue Church in Plainfield, New Jersey.

Dr. Lowry was a man gifted with administrative abilities, an excellent preacher, and an avid Bible student, and whether he was on the pulpit or upon a platform, he was a brilliant and gifted speaker. Some of his most striking characteristics was that he was of a pleasing disposition, as well as possessed with a great sense of humor. He was able to engage his audiences by the use vivid descriptions and picturesque imagery.

Many of his hymns have been translated into other languages and while preaching the gospel was his greatest joy and his life’s work, music and hymnology became his most enjoyable recreation.

Dr. Lowry was selected to be editor of a Sunday school book, “Bright Jewels” which was a great success. There were other Sunday school books that he edited as well and all of them becoming extremely popular. When he saw that the obligations of musical editorship were laid up upon him he began to study music more deeply, and sought the best musical textbooks and works of the highest forms in musical composition. He possessed one of the finest musical libraries in the country. It abounded in works on the philosophy and science of musical sound. He also had some musical works in his possession that were over 150 years old!

A reporter once asked him what was his method of composition— “do you write the words to fit the music or the music to fit the words? ” His reply was :

“I have no method. Sometimes the music comes, and the words follow fitted insensibly to the melody. I watch my moods, and when anything good strikes me, whether the words or music, and no matter where I am, at home on the street, I jot it down. Often the margin of a newspaper or the back of an envelope serves as a notebook. My brain is a sort of spinning machine, I think, for there is music running through it all the time. I do not pick out my music or the keys of an instrument. The tunes of nearly all the hymns I have written have been completed on paper before I tried them on the organ. Frequently the words of the hymn and the music have been written at the same time. “

Another time Lowry said of preaching the gospel and writing hymns, “I would rather preach a gospel sermon to an appreciative, receptive congregation than to write a hymn. ” Yet in spite of his preferences, Dr. Lowry’s hymns have gone on and on, translated into many languages, preaching and comforting, thousands of souls, furnishing them expression for their deepest feelings of praise and gratitude to God for his goodness to the children of men. What he had thought of his inmost soul has become a part of the emotions of the whole Christian world.

Reverend Robert Lowry, D. D. died at his residence in Plainfield, New Jersey, November 25, 1899. However he still lives in his sermons and gospel songs which are heard all over the world. Dr. Lowry is considered to be one of the world’s greatest gospel song and hymn writers.

( WholesomeWords. org)

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Rhonda Darbouze

Edison, NJ, United States

Dec 4, 2025

Something about the blood of Jesus

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Anonymous

Dec 4, 2025

Nothing but blood of Jesus this song touched my heart

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Jim Smith

Mansfield, Ohio, United States

Nov 19, 2025

Verse 4 really touched me. I know the blood cleanses my sin but I forget why. It is by His blood we are made righteous and become the righteousness of God. Nothing we do or say or think, especially nothing of our own good behavior, can ever make us righteous and acceptable to God. When we take Christ as our righteousness, which is truly grace, we can come to God our Father. We need His blood desperately. Without the blood, we are totally hopeless and dead in our sins.

4
This is all my hope and peace—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my righteousness—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

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Kathleen

McArthur, CA, United States

Sep 6, 2025

O thank the Lord my soul. I am cleansed by the blood of Jesus! I am redeemed and restored by His sacrifice. I pray the Light of Jesus shine in my life to help light The Way for others. May I be Your instrument, O God, until my last breath.

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Erika Bondarenko

Erie, Pennsylvania, United States

Aug 19, 2025

Oh precious is the flow! That makes me white as snow!

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