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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.

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin

Gospel Light

English1018
1
The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin;
The light of the world is Jesus;
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,
The light of the world is Jesus.
 
Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see;
The light of the world is Jesus.
2
No darkness have we who in Jesus abide,
The light of the world is Jesus;
We walk in the light when we follow our Guide,
The light of the world is Jesus.
3
Ye dwellers in darkness with sin-blinded eyes,
The light of the world is Jesus;
Go, wash, at His bidding, and light will arise;
The light of the world is Jesus.

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Ogoo J

Nigeria

May 24, 2024

Love this hymn. Every line has great meaning. Sad story to hear from the reminiscence but beatiful hymn. Indeed we await the glory of God in our light_Jesus

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Steve Miller

Detroit, MI, United States

Jan 31, 2014

I was appointed [by D. L. Moody] to assist George C. Needham in his work in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and later, with Charles Inglis of England, I was sent to one of the smaller churches of South Chicago. On entering the railway station on my way to this 2nd appointment, I found Mr. and Mrs. Bliss waiting for the train I was to take.

While bidding goodbye to Mrs. Stebbins and our son, then a small boy, Mr. and Mrs. Bliss were reminded of their 2 boys in the home of friends in Rome, Pennsylvania, and tears came to their eyes.

After leaving Chicago, Mr. Bliss fell asleep, with his head resting on his wife's shoulder. He was still sleeping when my destination was reached. As I rose to pass out, I said to Mrs. Bliss, "Don't disturb him." She replied: "Oh, yes! He would be disappointed if he did not say goodbye." as he wakened and realized I was leaving, he followed me onto the platform with kindest wishes and parting words.

This proved to be the last time I saw him, for he and Mrs. Bliss at the conclusion of the meetings at Peoria, went to their children to spend the holidays, and on their way back to Chicago, a few days later, they met their tragic death at Ashtabula, Ohio. - Reminiscences and Gospel Hymn Stories by George C. Stebbins, composer of the music of 22 hymns at hymnal.net

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There is an additional stanza:
No need of the sunlight in Heaven we’re told;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
The Lamb is the Light in the city of gold,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
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In this last stanza, I would change "Heaven" to "glory" because the New Jerusalem is not heaven, but comes down to earth.

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