Occasional Impressions

Themes and variations

Lord Jesus Christ, clear water of life

(at Holy Baptism)
Skye boat song

This hymn may be sung either in two parts or straight through, in which case the chorus is sung only once between verses 2 and 3.

Before the Baptism:
Chorus:
         Lord Jesus Christ, clear water of life,
         childlike, we come to you;
         your welling spring for ever flows free,
         in us your love renew.
1 Hemmed in by sin, we turn to you
    down by the Red Sea shore;
     see, the waves part, you lead us through:
     our failing hope restore.
         Lord Jesus Christ...
2 We hear your call, “Come, follow me,
    I have a task for you.
    Bring all mankind home to my font;
    my work is your work too.”
         Lord Jesus Christ...
After the Baptism:
         Lord Jesus Christ...
3 Marked by your cross, led by your light,
    washed in your water clear,
    named with your name, we face the world,
    freed from all dread and fear.
         Lord Jesus Christ...
4 Bathed in your love, we hear your voice:
    “On you my Spirit rests;
    go through the world, born to new life,
    then come, in heaven my guests.”
         Lord Jesus Christ...

John-David Yule

Listen to the music of Lord Jesus Christ, clear water of life (MIDI file).
Look at the score of Lord Jesus Christ, clear water of life (PDF file).
(Some of the music lines may not appear correctly on screen, but the file will print adequately.)

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