Skip to content
hymnal.net
hymnal.net
My Songs

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!

Delete Comment

Delete this comment? This cannot be undone.
Michael Jude

New York, United States

Dec 23, 2025

This hymn by Fr. Faber stirs deep emotions in me. He was a convert from Anglicanism into the Roman Catholic Church and became a priest in 1847. This hymn reminds me of my Irish ancestors who suffered for the Faith. May their souls rest in peace!!

Read more
Gabriel Oshomah

Abeokuta, Ogun, Nigeria

Dec 14, 2025

Faith of our fathers still holds true till the end. My firm conviction and believe in these lyrics.

Read more
Victoria Ghomorai

Lagos, Nigeria

Oct 9, 2025

Great encouragement for us to continue on the same path of Faith. We can never go back. It is already too late. We will transform people. Amen

Read more
Jagun Michael

Alagbaka, Ondo, Nigeria

Oct 7, 2025

The hymn is really a blessing

Read more
Kemi Ojo

Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Sep 29, 2025

The song came straight to me after my husband and I finished our morning prayers, we will be true to this Christian faith till the end , and we will spread this good news that was brought to us through great sacrifice , torture and death. AMEN

Read more
Anne-Marie McEvoy

Minster On Sea, England, United Kingdom

Jun 25, 2025

My father loved this hymn.

Read more
Olawumi Abiola Daniel

Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria

Jun 19, 2025

This an inspiration song, its renew my faith in Jesus Christ every day

Read more
Ogbuabor Benjamin

Eha-Amufu, Enugu, Nigeria

Jun 12, 2025

This hymn reminds me everyday the labours of our forefathers in faith just to retain the gospel and also to bring it down to us in this part of the world.

And I promise that the gospel will not die in my own generation.

Read more
Kay Trenschel

Royal Palm Beach, FL, United States

Jun 12, 2025

I recently read Faith of Our Fathers by Stauffer, The novel Martys of the Catacombs, Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Rose a missionary married a few months was separated from her husband both placed in Labor camps in inhumane treatment yet through the absolute worse, her torturing commander of the camp was miraculously spared his life and life sentence from war crimes and served Christ as to her witness.

These books took me to a different understanding then when I sang these songs as a child.

I followed real people to the burning stakes, the arenas with animals and the sword that removed their head from their bodies where their heart lies.

As I write this I see the need to humbly ask the Lord to help separate my “head” from my “heart” to quicker follow , and to quicker lay my life down for the sake of the brethren, the sheep and the future souls.

Read more
Peace Daniel

Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Nigeria

Jun 10, 2025

This song gives me the prove that faith should be the first priority of every Christian.

Read more