1000 Songs/Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (Louisa Stead)
Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (Louisa M. Stead)
Text[edit | edit source]
The Author of the text is Louisa M. R. Stead.
See the text here: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/i/tissweet.htm
The text is exceedingly filled with alliteration and simplicity, adding to the singular focus of its message. You might even say that the first few words contain all of the significant sounds used throughout the song. Tis, So, Sweet, to, Trust, in Jesus. Turn the consonants and vowels around in your mouth, and you will discover an amazing economy of sounds. Beyond that, the repeating of "just" at the beginning of each line (a literary device known as anaphora) helps to add to the impact of that centered reflection. And notice the similarity of the sounds of "just" and "rest", the profusion of single-syllable words, and the comfort of the shift to addressing Jesus in the second person during the final stanza. In short, this is the sort of polished text that enables such a simple and sentimental Gospel song to span the generations and continue to bring comfort to weary souls.
Music[edit | edit source]
The music was written by William J. Kirkpatrick The meter is 8.7.8.7 with Refrain
Tune[edit | edit source]
The tune is SOLID ROCK The alternative tune is MELITA
Author biography[edit | edit source]
Louisa Stead (1850-1917) It is said that Mrs. Stead wrote the hymn not long after witnessing her husband drown while trying to save a boy. See the story here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/'Tis_So_Sweet_to_Trust_in_Jesus