Windham
(Click on title to play tune)
Broad is the road that leads to death
And thousands walk together there;
But wisdom shows a narrow path,
With here and there a trav’ler.

“Deny thyself, and take thy cross,”
Is the Redeemer’s great command;
Nature must count her gold but dross,
If she would gain this heav’nly land.

The fearful soul that tires and faints,
And walks the ways of God no more,
Is but esteemed almost a saint,
And makes his own destruction sure.

Lord, let not all my hopes be vain,
Create my heart entirely new,
Which hypocrites could ne’er attain,
Which false apostates never knew.

Tune, words, and notes from Original Sacred Harp, Denson Revisions, 1971. Tune: Isaac Watts, 1709. Words: Daniel Read, 1785. Daniel Read, the author of the music, was born 1757. He published the “American Song Book,” in 1785, “Columbia Harmony,” 1793. He also compiled and published several other selections. He died at New Haven, Conn., 1836. The music first appeared in the “American Singing Book.” He is the author of a number of standard tunes., “Sherburn,” “Russia.,” “Stafford,” and other psalmodies. He is an American composer.

windham.htm 2/7/07