Scripture Verse

If the Son…shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36

Introduction

Words: Ano­ny­mous, in The Af­ri­can Me­tho­dist Epis­co­pal Hymn and Tune Book (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­sylv­ania: Af­ri­can Me­tho­dist Epis­co­pal Book Con­cern, 1898), num­ber 564.

Music: Lay­ton John T. Lay­ton, Sr., 1898 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know the au­thor, or where to get a good pho­to of him or Lay­ton (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
John T. Layton, Sr. (1847–1916)

Lyrics

Savior, hear us, through Thy mer­it;
Lowly bend­ing at Thy feet;
Oh, draw near us by Thy Spir­it;
Prostrate at Thy mer­cy-seat.

For the joys of Thy sal­va­tion,
Still we raise our cries to Thee:
Hear the voice of sup­pli­ca­tion,
Set our souls at li­ber­ty.