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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.

Thou my everlasting Portion

Longings For a Closer Walk with Christ

English386
1
Thou my everlasting Portion,
More than friend or life to me,
All along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with Thee.
 
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Close to Thee, close to Thee;
All along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with Thee.
2
Not for ease or worldly pleasure,
Not for fame my prayer shall be;
Gladly will I toil and suffer,
Only let me walk with Thee.
 
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Close to Thee, close to Thee;
Gladly will I toil and suffer,
Only let me walk with Thee.
3
Lead me through the vale of shadows,
Bear me o’er life’s fitful sea;
Then the gate of life eternal
May I enter, Lord, with Thee.
 
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Close to Thee, close to Thee;
Then the gate of life eternal
May I enter, Lord, with Thee.

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Adesina Omitogun

Ota, Ogun, Nigeria

Aug 17, 2015

This hymn carries me away always. I feel like flying away with it. What a hymn, so inspiring!

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Jackson Imarhiagbe

Calgary, AB, Canada

Jun 15, 2015

To God be the glory for this blessed song from a blessed heart. Tears flow freely from my heart today as I cried singing this hymn. What else do I want from life than to be closer to my maker. My prayer is when the gate is opened, let me enter with Thee O Lord.

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Fyneboy, Andrew James

Dallas, Texas, United States

May 9, 2015

Just as I began to worship on the mountain at 4am, having the thought to pour out my heart, I remembered Students Congress held in Gboko Nigeria 2008, where I first heard this hymn; my cares then gave way to my passion "To be close to God". What a longing...

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Funke Ayoola

Mushin, Lagos, Nigeria

Mar 27, 2015

I will be a year older tomorrow so I sing this song to You my Master, King and Lord to grant me fresh grace, zeal, love and faith to continue my walk with You while doing Your will.

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Ugoji Nwaeke

Jos, Plateau

Mar 17, 2015

What a challenge, if a blind woman - Fanny Jane Crosby could do this ever inspiring, timeless and ageless song for the Lord since the 17th century, may we all ask ourselves what legacy we are leaving behind in the sands of time as we go.

Fanny has been resting in the bosom of the master she loved so much, while the impact of her work while here on earth continues to affect generation after generation for our Lord Jesus Christ.

May the Lord help us and our generation to serve him as these old saints did. Amen.

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Kwamena

Accra, Ghana

Mar 8, 2015

What else does man need, just be close to God. We sung this hymn this morning and I knew it was a prayer from my heart. I just browsed looking for it because I just want to sing again and again!

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Engr Avajah Victor

Nigeria, Lagos, Nigeria

Mar 5, 2015

I just remembered this song, and I had to browse for it. The song reminds me that I have to be closer to God. Pls pray for me.

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Stemray

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Dec 25, 2014

I fondly remember singing this hymn on a Sunday. Bringing back memories of my grandfolks, my parents and my uncle Ivan singing with gusto in the Apostolic Unity Church Lansdowne Congregation

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Beverley Evqns

Bklyn, NY, United States

Nov 22, 2014

This song is a blessing to my soul. Lord it doesn't matter how much I toil and suffer; only, only let me walk with Thee.

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Alexander

Accra, Ghana

Nov 16, 2014

This song never ceases to touch my core any time. Phew!!!

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