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.

O God of burning altar fire

Preaching of the Gospel Kindled with Fire

English927
1
O God of burning altar fire,
O God of love’s consuming flame,
Make pure the flame of our desire
To win the lost to seek Thy Name.
2
There is no coldness, Lord, in Thee,
Oh, keep us kindled lest we bring
To our dear Lord of Calvary,
Dead ashes for our offering.
3
Dead ashes, husk of corn for wheat
Lord of our consecration vow,
We gather round Thy wounded feet,
We see the thorn about Thy brow.
4
Oh, by Thy cross and passion, Lord,
Grant us this plea, this sovereign plea,
Save us from choosing peace for sword,
And give us souls to give to Thee.

Delete Comment

Delete this comment? This cannot be undone.
Jack Petrash

Irving, TX, United States

Jul 26, 2024

Verse one is an excellent prayer every believer should pray.
Oh God of burning altar fire,
Oh God of Love's consuming flame,

Make pure the flame of MY Desire To win the lost to seek Thy Name.

Lord keep the fire burning in our Spirits for the lost! Amen

Read more
Steven Miller

Detroit, Michigan, United States

May 15, 2016

I just finished reading "Amy Carmichael, Rescuer of Precious Gems" by Janet & Geoff Benge. One of the best books I have ever read. Amy started by discipling the destitute shawlee women of the Irish slums and lived like they did to prove that one could serve the Lord in their situations. In the midst of a very fruitful work, she felt the call to bring the gospel to foreign lands, and left the Irish work in the hands of her able disciples. Though rejected by the China Inland mission because of her health, she persevered and went to Japan, where she challenged accepted limitations and was fruitful, but had to be sent home due to health after a short time. A friend wrote her that the climate in Bangalore, India would do her well, so she left another fruitful work in Ireland for India. In India, she was appalled at the fruitlessness of the missionaries and their satisfaction with the status quo. She broke rank with them and produced remaining fruit. She had saved so many children from being dedicated to a life as a temple prostitute. When she passed, she asked that no marker be put on her grave. The people obeyed her request except that they put a birdbath on her grave with only the Indian word, "Amma", meaning "mother" on it. This brought me to tears and to cry out loud, which I rarely do.

Read more