Who wrote the hymn 'There is a fountain filled with blood'?
One of the early romantic poets William Cowper wrote the hymn 'There is a fountain filled with blood' in 1772, after suffering from a severe bout of depression.
Who was William Cowper?
As well as a poet Cowper was a hymn writer and an abolitionist and particularly known for his friendship with John Newton who wrote the hymn 'Amazing Grace', considered to be one of the best hymns ever - certainly one of the most popular. Together Cowper and Newton wrote a group of hymns known today as the Olney Hymns.
Did you know one of Cowper's other hymn gave us the saying 'God moves mysterious ways'?
'There is a fountain filled with blood' lyrics
There is a fountain filled with blood Drawn from Immanuel's veins; And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains: Lose all their guilty stains, Lose all their guilty stains; And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains.
2 The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day; And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away: Wash all my sins away, Wash all my sins away; And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away.
3 Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood Shall never lose its pow'r, Till all the ransomed Church of God Be saved, to sin no more: Be saved, to sin no more, Be saved, to sin no more; Till all the ransomed Church of God Be saved to sin no more.
4 E'er since by faith I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die: And shall be till I die, And shall be till I die; Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die.
5 When this poor lisping, stamm'ring tongue Lies silent in the grave, Then in a nobler, sweeter song I'll sing Thy pow'r to save: I'll sing Thy pow'r to save, I'll sing Thy pow'r to save; Then in a nobler, sweeter song I'll sing Thy pow'r to save.