Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Written 1758 by Robert Robinson. Traditional American melody (Nettleton). Published 1813. Public domain.
Verse 1
GCome, Thou Fount of every Cblessing
GTune my heart to Dsing Thy Ggrace
GStreams of mercy, never Cceasing
CCall for songs of Dloudest Gpraise
GTeach me some meClodious Gsonnet
GSung by flaming Dtongues aGbove
GPraise the mount, I'm Cfixed upon Git
CMount of God's unDchanging Glove
Verse 2
GHere I raise my CEbenezer
GHither by Thy Dhelp I'm Gcome
GAnd I hope, by CThy good pleasure
CSafely to arDrive at Ghome
GJesus sought me Cwhen a Gstranger
GWandering from the Dfold of GGod
GHe, to rescue Cme from Gdanger
CInterposed His Dprecious Gblood
Verse 3
GO to grace how Cgreat a Gdebtor
GDaily I'm conDstrained to Gbe
GLet Thy goodness, Clike a Gfetter
CBind my wand'ring Dheart to GThee
GProne to wander, CLord, I Gfeel it
GProne to leave the DGod I Glove
GHere's my heart, O Ctake and Gseal it
CSeal it for Thy Dcourts aGbove
Playing Tips
🎸 Strum Pattern
This is a 3/4 waltz hymn, so count "1-2-3, 1-2-3" as you play. A simple strum pattern that works well: one strong downstroke on beat 1, then two lighter strokes on beats 2 and 3. Keep your strumming smooth and flowing, not stiff or choppy.
For a softer folk sound, try this fingerpick: pluck the low bass string with your thumb on beat 1, brush down with your fingers on beat 2, and brush up with your thumb on beat 3. This gentle texture fits the reflective nature of the lyrics well.
🔊 Dynamics
Each verse tells a different part of the story. Verse 1 is an invitation, so play it gently. Verse 2 ("Here I raise my Ebenezer") is a testimony, so bring a bit more energy. Verse 3 ("Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it") is honest confession. Pull back here and let the congregation feel the weight of those words.
→ Transitions — Verse
This hymn has no chorus, just verses. To keep things interesting, change your strumming style between verses: light fingerpick on verse 1, soft strum on verse 2, fuller strum on verse 3. The change in texture naturally guides the emotional arc of the song.
🎵 Band Direction
Acoustic guitar works best as the lead instrument here. A cajon or soft kick drum keeps the waltz rhythm grounded. Piano should play open, spacious chords rather than busy fills. Avoid heavy drums on this one.
🎤 Vocal
The word "Ebenezer" in verse 2 often confuses first-time singers. Consider briefly explaining before the song that it means "stone of help," a way people in the Bible marked places where God came through for them. The line "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it" tends to resonate deeply. Give it a moment of silence before moving on.