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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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Bassey Asuquo

Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Aug 27, 2022

The anchor of this song is on the first and second line of the first stanza of this hymn.

Here we see an impeccable faith, an uncompromizable faith. A first inspired by true love of our savior Christ. A faith mysterious to a carnal man. What a faith that won't give inspite of dungeon and fire.

When the wicked rose against the unity of the body of Christ, when they rose to condemn to death all who gathered in the name of our Lord as a church.

Threatened by fire, reptiles, swords, amongst others, just to enforce recanting of our holy faith. But yet, the faith of our fathers, their holy faith, remained true to God till death.

Oh! What a wonderful path to follow. Oh what a wonderful faith to emulate. Oh what a wonderful love to continue. At this times of perplexity, at this time of trials, at this moment of chaos. Oh what an inspiration to us Christians.

Stay still and steadfast on your faith as our fathers did, even though it cost your life, it is only a beginning to a new life eternal in a world of no sorrows, no pain, no weeping. A dwelling place of our father, "Heaven".

There's absolutely nothing to regret when we cling to that old rugged cross.

Peace be unto us. Amen!

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Odoh Basil

Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Aug 7, 2022

I felt renewed after listening to this hymn today in mass

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Sandra

Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria

Aug 5, 2022

I use to listen to this song, but now this is song is speaking deep thing of the spirit to me. I love this song.

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Nancy

Thousand Oaks, CA, United States

Jul 7, 2022

I was surprised that this is a Catholic hymn. We sang it in the Methodist Episcopal church when I was a child, and in the Lutheran Church as well. When the congregations sang this hymn we sang all verses and very loudly. It is obviously a generally loved hymn. It speaks to us all.

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Pauline

Lusaka, Zambia

Jun 29, 2022

I love listening to this hymn on the Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul.

My icons of faith!

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Pastor Israel

Aba, Abia, Nigeria

Jun 15, 2022

Great song. Inspiring Faith, commitment and dedication. I cherish this song so much. It evokes an aura/ atmosphere of the reality of Christian sacrifice for me and makes me shed tears inwardly. Thank you Father God for your grace to stand firm till the end. Hallellujah.

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Victoria Babalola

Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

May 26, 2022

Each time I listen or I am singing this song, it's as if Jesus will just come and takes me home. I so much love this hymn. May God help me to the end In Jesus Name

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Job

Bida, Niger, Nigeria

Mar 29, 2022

May His grace be sufficient for us all in Jesus name

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Mohammed Alete

Sagamu, Ogun, Nigeria

Mar 13, 2022

I love this song infact I felt renewed after listening to this song

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Kofi

Mampong, Ashanti, Ghana

Feb 16, 2022

May the good Lord revive us all in these times and give us great faith like our fathers as stated in Hebrews chapter 11

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