December 30, 2020 (Wednesday)
The lyrics and music for “Sweeter As The Years Go By” were written by Leila N. Morris (1862-1929). She became blind in her early fifties, but that didn’t keep her from writing. I am told that she had a 28-foot long blackboard with large music staff lines. Using this special board she was able to see enough to help her write hymns. In all she wrote more than 1,000 hymn texts as well as many of the tunes. Her handicap didn’t keep her from doing this and being productive for God. (Information from http://barryshymns.blogspot.com/2012/01/sweeter-as-years-go-by.html).
Her song is appropriate for servants of Christ at any time, but it seems especially so today, as we approach the final days of the year of service to Jesus which was sweeter than the year before, in spite of all the heartaches it brought to so many.
Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter,
Sweeter as the years go by.”
Leila Morriss
1912
Of Jesus’ love that sought me, when I was lost in sin;
Of wondrous grace that brought me back to His fold again;
Of heights and depths of mercy, far deeper than the sea,
And higher than the heavens, my theme shall ever be.
Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by,
Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter,
Sweeter as the years go by.
He trod in old Judea life’s pathway long ago;
The people thronged about Him, His saving grace to know;
He healed the broken hearted, and caused the blind to see;
And still His great heart yearneth in love for even me.
Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by,
Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter,
Sweeter as the years go by.
‘Twas wondrous love which led Him for us to suffer loss,
To bear without a murmur the anguish of the cross;
With saints redeemed in glory, let us our voices raise,
Till Heav’n and earth reecho with our Redeemer’s praise.
Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by,
Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter,
Sweeter as the years go by.