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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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Tony Adegbenro

Liverpool., England, United Kingdom

Jun 15, 2014

Great song. It's Father's Day and I was preparing my heart for Sunday Worship when the Holy Spirit dropped this song in my heart and I was overjoyed immediately. Perfect wording that requires no change whatsoever as requested by Dave who made the last comment before mine. I don't know what his religion is but oh how we need to be true indeed till death meaning till our last breath. The tune played is the only one I know and Iove it. Please suggest other tunes if you have one. God bless.

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Dave

May 16, 2014

The piano music was very nice, but the words need a complete rewrite. I feel that someone has changed the meaning of the song. The song was originally about heavens, people trying to be good, and be careful about their money and food, so that heaven can control the criminals. Some of the original people got injured and their families wanted to try to take care of them, while they were injured and unemployed, and were living slightly poor. But the modified words make it sound as if the originals and their children are dying. We are trying not to die. We are trying to stay safe while heaven is controlling the criminal nations. Try not to take the words literally about true to thee till death. and worse yet, children dying to save nations. My religion has a softer interpretation, where families are helping take care of their injured family members so that they don't die. Especially people hoping to be rescued. We try to be true to heaven. But hopefully this will not involve death of heavens people. But it is a catchy tune. It needs different words.

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Patricia

Auckland

Apr 23, 2014

Shame that the tune played is not correct. But the written music on this site is the correct one. This is a Presbyterian hymn that we Catholics laid claimed to and is played at most Masses round Anzac Day.

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Ian

Little Dunham, Norfolk

Apr 21, 2014

I am a committed Anglican but went to a Catholic boarding school - this is by far my favourite hymn - it is truly wonderful - As a result of my school days I have always considered myself as an Anglo/Catholic - if that makes sense - I embrace both paths.

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Adekanmi Asegun

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Jan 19, 2014

Great hymn... What a solemn call to contemporary Christians to retrace their steps back to the ancient pathway of absolute consecration.

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J Campbell

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Jan 7, 2014

I agree Christine. I remember singing this hymn in Primary School and the tune was much more rousing.

I also remember the tune as 'Oh bread of heaven beneath this veil, though dost my very God conceal...'

Brings back great childhood memories from times when we saw the world very differently.

Sadly, religion is a diminishing force in the world, and Catholicism is one of many religions fighting for influence.

Finally, 'martyrdom' has deeply negative connotations in these days of suicide bombers. I know the contexts are often very different, but the Catholic church celebrates the likes of Thomas More as martyrs even though he was responsible for the deaths of many people of conscience in his times.

Faith of our Fathers is like a call to arms for Catholics, in my opinion not appropriate for the modern age. There's enough so-called 'religious' conflict.

Nowadays, I fell more inspired by more inclusive songs such as the Internationale, or pop songs like John Lennon's 'Imagine'.

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Christine

Mersin, Içel, Turkey

Oct 31, 2013

The tune you have given for this very old Catholic hymn ''Faith of our Fathers Living Still'' is not correct at all.

The tune you have given is for ''O Bread of Heaven Beneath this Veil''

What has happened to the ORIGINAL TUNE please?!! I can't find it anywhere and I believe it speaks for us again at this time in the holy Church.

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Dominic

Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria

Oct 2, 2013

I woke up this morning and my spirit got connected to this song. I hummed and then sang. My heart was reminded of the faith I must keep in spite of all odds.

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John Morgan

Lagos, Ikeja, Nigeria

Sep 21, 2013

Very blessed with this song. God blessed the writer.

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Titilola

Kampala, Uganda

Sep 4, 2013

Faith of our fathers Holy faith. We will be through to Thee till death.

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