[Main] [Poetry Index]* [Poets] 1991 Denson Revision: [Titles] [Pages] [First Lines]* 2012 Cooper Revision: [Titles] [Pages] [First Lines]*
* Index of the First Line of Each Stanza, the Fifth Line of Eight Line Stanzas, and the First Line of the Chorus

Nay, I cannot let thee go,

My Name is Jacob.
Genesis Chap. xxxii. 27.

Poet: John Newton, 1779
Meter: 7s (7,7,7,7)
Location in The Sacred Harp
Stanza Denson Cooper
1
Nay, I cannot let thee go,
Till a blessing thou bestow;
Do not turn away thy face,
Mine's an urgent pressing case.


King of Peace 74b, Stanza 1

2
Dost thou ask me, who I am?
Ah, my Lord, thou know'st my name!
Yet the question gives a plea,
To support my suit with thee.


King of Peace 74b, Stanza 2

3
Thou didst once a wretch behold,
In rebellion blindly bold,
Scorn thy grace, thy pow'r defy,
That poor rebel, Lord, was I.


King of Peace 74b, Stanza 3

4
Once a sinner near despair
Sought thy mercy-seat by pray'r;
Mercy heard and set him free,
Lord, that mercy came to me.



5
Many years have pass'd since then,
Many changes I have seen,
Yet have been upheld till now;
Who could hold me up but thou?



6
Thou hast help'd in ev'ry need,
This emboldens me to plead;
After so much mercy past,
Canst thou let me sink at last?



7
No-I must maintain my hold,
Tis thy goodness makes me bold;
I can no denial take,
When I plead for Jesu's sake.




Newton, John, and William Cowper Olney Hymns in Three Books. 6th ed. London: J. Johnson, 1797.