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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.

I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship

Preaching of the Gospel Myriads Won

English934
1
I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship,
Should set His love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wand’rers,
To bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary,
When Bethl’hem’s manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and labored,
And so the Savior, Savior of the world, is come.
2
I cannot tell how silently He suffered,
As with His peace He graced this place of tears,
Or how His heart upon the Cross was broken,
The crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, He heals the broken-hearted,
And stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
And lifts the burden from the heavy laden,
For yet the Savior, Savior of the world, is here.
3
I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
How He will claim His earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
Of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendor
When He the Savior, Savior of the world, is known.
4
I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
When, at His bidding, every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation
When all the hearts of men with love are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
And myriad, myriad human voices sing,
And earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer:
At last the Savior, Savior of the world, is King.

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Debrs

Ohio, United States

Mar 14, 2024

I just found this song and am so blessed by it. It makes me so emotional. The lyrics were written over 100 years ago yet this is the first I have heard it. It is so beautiful !! I want to shall it with everyone!

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Ian Pearson

Hull, East Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Jan 9, 2024

One of my favourite hymns and to such a rousing music tune

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Janet White

Chesterfield, United Kingdom

Jul 22, 2023

Still one of the most moving hymns around. Love the wording and the tune.

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Margaret Owen

Swansea, United Kingdom

Jul 6, 2023

I love this hymn. The first time I heard it was at wedding. The words are so beautiful. I just love it.

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Kay Carrick

Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Oct 16, 2022

The lyrics are set to Londonderry Air.

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Geoffrey Beresford Hartwell

Wallington, Surrey, United Kingdom

Oct 16, 2022

Does anyone have a name, traditional or otherwise, for this tune?

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Robert Ondiba Aosa

Kisii Kenya, Nyanza, Kenya

Sep 14, 2022

''And earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer:

At last the Savior, Savior of the world, is King''.

What a beautiful hymn yesterday I did play it with my guitar. Personally I don't know how we shall worship Him. Thanks for the song. Amen.

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Gabriel Konayuma

Lusaka, Zambia

Sep 3, 2022

This song has been on my mind today. It is a powerful testimony of the Christian as they acknowledge God's grace, lover and mercy shown to us in saving us as undeserving sinners.

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Lorne Campbell

Whangarei, North Land, New Zealand

Jun 25, 2022

Today I am preaching on revelation c 14 … the reaping of the Lords harvest … and our worship leader has chosen this as our final song … so appropriate! Verse 3 in particular is on my heart as we have the task of joining him in harvesting precious souls.

Thanks for this hymn

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Bernadette Hawkes

United Kingdom

Dec 19, 2021

My Mum told me before she passed that she wanted this hymn at her funeral.

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