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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.

There’s a light upon the mountains

Hope of Glory The Crowning Day

English954
1
There’s a light upon the mountains,
and the day is at the spring,
When our eyes shall see the beauty
and the glory of the King;
Weary was our heart with waiting, and
the night-watch seemed so long,
But His triumph-day is breaking, and
we hail it with a song.
2
In the fading of the starlight we can
see the coming morn;
And the lights of men are paling in
the splendors of the dawn;
For the eastern skies are glowing as
with lights of hidden fire,
And the hearts of men are stirring
with the throb of deep desire.
3
There’s a hush of expectation, and
a quiet in the air;
And the breath of God is moving in
the fervent breath of prayer;
For the suffering, dying Jesus is the
Christ upon the throne,
And the travail of our spirit is the
travail of His own.
4
He is breaking down the barriers,
He is casting up the way;
He is calling for His angels to build
up the gates of day;
But His angels here are human, not
the shining hosts above,
For the drum-beats of His army are
the heart-beats of our love.
5
Hark! we hear a distant music, and
it comes with fuller swell;
’Tis the triumph song of Jesus, of
our King Emmanuel;
Zion, go ye forth to meet Him,
and my soul, be swift to bring
All thy sweetest and thy dearest for
the triumph of our King.

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Leslie J Ballard

Allegan, MI, United States

Dec 12, 2024

We had an incredible minister when I was a child and youth, and one of the first things he did when he arrived was to teach us how to sing this hymn properly. It was his favorite and became the favorite of the whole congregation. I tear up every time I hear, which is only on youtube now. So unfortunate that they removed it from the Methodist hymnal. A lovely melody and stirring lyrics.

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Carol N

Clinton, Massachusetts, United States

Aug 19, 2022

This hymn is in my hymnal, but I've never read or sung it. It brought me to tears this morning. "And the breath of God is moving in the fervent breath of prayer." Thank you, Wendy, for sharing. May God continue to comfort you, dear sister.

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Wendy Elaine

Eastern Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Aug 19, 2022

I requested a recording of two of the verses to be played at the end of the memorial service for my 97 year old father 7 weeks ago as the congregation left the sanctuary.

I was googling the lyrics now and found this site with two comments at the top from South Africans which made me feel at home.

I think only Methodists, I may be wrong, at the church would have recognised the hymn. It is indeed a very special hymn. I loved it attending weekly services as a teenager and a young adult.

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Mavis Lotter

Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa

May 23, 2017

This beautiful hymn (my favourite since I was a teenager) is unknown to the young folk of today.

One morning, very early, I was travelling west from OR Tambo Airport (Johannesburg). The lights of the skyscrapers in Johannesburg were visible ahead of me in the distance. In my rearview mirror I could see the sun rising in its splendour, and the second verse of the amazing hymn was a reality. I prayed that the last line of that verse was also a reality in the hearts of all who witnessed that sunrise.

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Graham Barlin

Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa

Jan 19, 2017

Reminded me of my days as a schoolboy at a Methodist School. Such beautiful poetry and wonderfully matchef with the inspiring melody. Stumbled upon this majestic work when writing a new song and two lines came to mind. Reaching for my old hymnal traced them in verse 3. (first two lines) Now of two minds: to leave as is and run the risk of plagiarism yet tip the hat to the greats of the past or to change and possibly demean. Any suggestions out there?

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Hussein Brewster

Durants, Christ Church, Barbados

Dec 13, 2015

Let us keep that light burning.........until He comes.

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Steve Miller

Detroit, MI

Apr 12, 2014

Born in England, Henry Burton moved as a child with his family to the U.S. where he was educated at Beloit College. In 1865 he returned to England and joined the Wesleyan Methodists. He traveled as a minister with the leading circuit preachers of the time. - Songs of the Spirit by Martin

This hymn is also sung to the tune "Autumn" by Francois H. Barthelemon, which tune is also often used for "Jesus, I my cross have taken". I prefer that tune because it is simpler for me to sing.

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Belinda Freeman

Dunstable, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom

Jan 13, 2014

What an incredible hymn, busy studying it in unit 15 of Faith and Worship, Methodist Local Preacher. It is about understanding the present and future aspects of the kingdom of God.

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Bill Kerr

Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire, United Kingdom

Feb 6, 2013

This is the hymn I have picked for my funeral - but the tune will be the tune of Ode to Joy.

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Lee

Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

Sep 13, 2012

My dad was a Methodist minister. This was one of his favourite hymns which all the ministers sang at his funeral. Will never forget the sound of their voices.

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