Some mornings when I wake up with a song, I will go back thru all the post titles and with almost disbelief see that I have not woke up to this song before. "There Is A Fountain" is one of those songs. This has been one of my favorites for many years. Hearing it growing up, hearing Archie and The Inspirations as it echoes through the mountains at the Singing in the Smokies or a church sanctuary, listening to it over and over again on The Cathedrals' "Worship His Glory" acappella album, or listening to Vestal Goodman's remarkable voice as well as others make this a song I simply loved to hear.
"'There Is A Fountain" is also another one of those old hymns with a beautiful story. William P. Cowper wrote the words probably in about 1771 and it was first published in 1772. Mr. Cowper's mother died when he was only 6 years old and he suffered with severe depression for many years. While attending law school and testing for the bar, he had a mental breakdown, attempted suicide and was hospitalized. During his hospitalization, while reading a Bible, he said it was like a light from heaven penetrated his heart and cleared his mind for good. He was soon released, started attending church and met John Newton (the writer of "Amazing Grace"). Then one day, the words of "There Is A Fountain" started to flow.
The last verse is extremely touching. Mr. Cowher's illness caused him to have a lisp and a stutter he would have the rest of his life. But in the last verse he wrote:
"When this poor lisping, stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave,
Then in a nobler, sweeter song
I'll sing Thy pow'r to save"
I could have chose many groups or individuals to share a link including those I previously mentioned, but I heard a group I had never heard before that I enjoyed, so I selected that one to share.
Hope to see you in church this morning!
A golden oldie that I will always love!