Scripture Verse

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Ephesians 6:10

Introduction

portrait
George C. Stebbins (1846–1945)

Words: Fran­ces R. Ha­ver­gal, Loy­al Re­spons­es; or, Dai­ly Me­lo­dies for the King’s Min­strels (Lon­don: James Nis­bet, 1878), pag­es 24–27. In the orig­in­al, the re­frain be­low was the last stan­za.

Music: Blag­nac George C. Steb­bins, 1878 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

  • True-Heart­ed Jo­si­ah Booth, in the Ca­na­di­an Pres­by­te­ri­an Book of Praise (Lon­don: Hen­ry Frowde, 1897), num­ber 245 (🔊 pdf nwc)
  • Watchword Fran­ces R. Ha­ver­gal (1836–1879) (🔊 pdf nwc)
portrait
Frances R. Havergal (1836–1879)

Lyrics

Truehearted, wholehearted,
Faithful and loyal,
King of our lives,
By Thy grace we will be!
Under Thy standard,
Exalted and royal,
Strong in Thy strength
We will battle for Thee.

Refrain

Peal out the watchword!
Silence it ne­ver!
Song of our spirits,
Rejoicing and free!
Truehearted, wholehearted,
Now and for­ev­er,
King of our lives,
By Thy grace we will be!

Truehearted, wholehearted!
Fullest allegiance
Yielding henceforth
To our glo­ri­ous king;
Valiant endeavor
And loving obedience
Freely and joyously
Now would we bring.

Refrain

Truehearted! Sav­ior,
Thou knowest our story,
Weak are the hearts
That we lay at Thy feet,
Sinful and treacherous!
Yet, for Thy glo­ry,
Heal them, and cleanse them
From sin and deceit.

Refrain

Wholehearted! Sav­ior
Belovèd and glo­ri­ous,
Take Thy great power
And reign Thou alone,
Over our wills
And affections vic­to­ri­ous—
Freely surrendered
And wholly Thine own.

Refrain

Half-hearted, false-hearted!
Heed we the warning!
Only the whole
Can be perfectly true;
Bring the whole offering,
All timid thought scorning,
Truehearted only
If wholehearted too.

Refrain

Half-hearted! Sav­ior,
Sshall aught be withholden,
Giving Thee part
Who hast given us all?
Blessings outpouring,
And promises golden
Pledging, with ne­ver
Reserve or recall.

Refrain

Half-hearted? Mas­ter,
Shall any who know Thee
Grudge Thee their lives,
Who has laid down Thine own?
Nay; we would offer
The hearts that we owe Thee—
Live for Thy love
And Thy glo­ry alone.

Refrain

Sisters, dear sisters,
The call is resounding,
Will ye not echo
The silver refrain,
Mighty and sweet, and
In gladness abounding—
Truehearted, wholehearted!
Ringing again.

Refrain

Jesus is with us,
His rest is before us,
Brightly His standard
Is waving above,
Brothers, dear brothers,
In gathering chorus,
Peal out the watchword
Of courage and love!

Refrain