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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.

Faith of our fathers, living still

The Church Her Faith

English830
1
Faith of our fathers, living still
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword,
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene’er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
2
Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,
Were still in heart and conscience free;
And blest would be their children’s fate,
If they, like them should die for thee:
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
3
Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto thee;
And through the truth that comes from God
Mankind shall then indeed be free.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
4
Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife,
And preach thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!

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Stephen Ndode

Buea, Cameroon

Sep 10, 2018

It is an important hymn! Very inspiring!

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Judith Mays

Kissimmee, Florida, United States

Jul 25, 2018

Instead of arguing about whose hymn this was originally, we should be thanking God that we have this beautiful hymn and all Christians, or anyone else for that matter, can enjoy it. Church of England, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic and who ever else believes in our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus wants all Christians to come together. That will make Him happy.

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Godwin Iko Ayuba

Kaduna, Nigeria

Jun 17, 2018

Sang it in Spirit and Faith today at St Christopher's Ang Church during Father's Day celebration.

It's truly inspiring.

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Pastor Sunday Adeleke

Lagos, Nigeria

Aug 23, 2017

This is a faith-inspiring song. It is highly inspirational. May the Lord bless the soul of the composer and all listeners in Jesus name, amen.

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Henrich Brockhaus

Bellingham, WA, United States

Jan 25, 2017

Dear Chaz54. You are right, this is in its original form a wonderful Catholic hymn. That's why it has been co-opted by other churches. Once the biblically controversial phrase "Mary's prayers" and the allusions to different nations (Irish, English, etc.) have been removed it has become a truly catholic (universal, all-embracing) hymn. Now the whole Body of Christ (anyone saved by Christ's redeeming death) can sing it, no matter of what denomination. At a time when secular culture encroaches on and even replaces Bible truths, we have to go back to our roots and stand up for them. "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent" Revelation 2:5. "Faith of our fathers! holy faith! We will be true to thee till death.

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ufot

Lagos, Nigeria

Dec 29, 2016

Jesus love you.

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David Meskill.

Ireland

Nov 26, 2016

I learned this hymn as a boy over 45 years ago it was allways sung at the conclusion of Holy hour & Benediction in our local church in Ardpatrick watching the Black & white clad accolites reminded me of my boyhood days as a mass server. Good days.

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Monday Chinwendu U.

Aba, Abia, Nigeria

Nov 11, 2016

I pray for this kind of faith.

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Chaz54

Portland, OR, United States

Nov 5, 2016

This is a CATHOLIC Hymn... Sorry but it is! Does the C of E need strip us of even our hymns?

2nd verse is (stanza):

Faith of our Fathers! Mary's prayers
Shall win our country back to thee:
And through the truth that comes from God
England shall then indeed be free. OR
(Our Country shall then indeed be free) OR
(Ireland shall then indeed be free).

I mean, at least your "version" of this song is better than his the C of E

RUINED

"Silent Night"...

I mean. Was it really necessary to get rid of the image of "mother & child"?

You do associate Christmas with the birth of Jesus right?

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Sandra Smith

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Oct 25, 2016

Because of the Faith of Our Fathers that being my parents their parents the old ones in the church my faith was established because they pointed me to Jesus they led me to Him and He as only He can do provided Living Water for me establishing my faith to pass on to Future generations and now I am one of the fathers whose faith my children and grandchildren look up to as they continue to sow the seeds of the gospel for the Lord of the Harvest to reap.

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