Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
Psalm 98:4
Words: James Rowe, in His Voice of Love, edited by James D. Vaughan (Lawrenceburg, Tennessee: James D. Vaughan, 1924), number 15.
Music: Theodore R. Shaw (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Shaw (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), would you ?
Sadness has departed, fear has fled away,
Free and happy hearted, I’m the Lord’s today;
Songs of praise I’m singing, facing yonder goal,
With the joy-bells ringing in my blood-bought soul.
Refrain
Joy-bells, joy-bells, ringing in my soul;
Joy-bells, joy-bells, I am free and whole.
Jesus sought and found me,
Placed His arms around me,
Set the blessèd joy-bells ringing in my soul.
I have ceased to wander in the land of shame,
Time no more I squander, bless His holy name;
To His hand I’m clinging, trusting His control,
With the joy-bells ringing in my blood-bought soul.
Refrain
Going home to glory, ever His to be,
Telling out the story of His love for me;
Praises I’ll be singing while the ages roll,
With the joy-bells ringing in my blood-bought soul.
Refrain