A cry, as of pain

From Oremus Hymnal

A cry as of pain,
again and again,
is borne o'er the deserts and wide-spreading main;
a cry from the lands that in darkness are lying,
a cry from the hearts that in sorrow are sighing.
It comes unto me;
it comes unto thee;
O what—O what shall the answer be?

O! hark to the call;
It comes unto all
whom Jesus hath rescued from sin's deadly thrall:
"Come over and help us! in bondage we languish;
Come over and help us! we die in our anguish."
It comes unto me;
it comes unto thee;
O what—O what shall the answer be?

It comes to the soul
that Christ hath made whole,
the heart that is longing his name to extol.
It comes with a chorus or pitiful wailing,
it comes with a plea which is strong and prevailing;
"For Christ's sake" to me;
for Christ's sake to thee;
O what—O what shall the answer be?

We come, Lord, to thee,
thy servants are we;
inspire thou the answer, and true it shall be!
If here we should work, or afar thou shouldst send us,
O grant that thy mercy may ever attend us,
that each one may be
a witness for thee,
till all the earth shall thy glory see!

1 Historical Notes
2 Author
3 Meter
4 Sound Files
5 Other Comments
6 Sources
- 6.1 Hymnal, Number, Tune(s)

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Historical Notes

This text and tune were written by a missionary in Uganda, just four years after the murder of Anglican Bishop James Hannington and his companions by the King of Buganda.

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