Make me a captive, Lord (Arthur Sullivan)

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  • (Posted 2010-08-15)  CPDL #22094:         
Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2010-08-15).   Score information: A4, 1 page, 18 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Based on version in Church Hymnary, 1927.

General Information

Title: Make me a captive, Lord
Composer: Arthur Sullivan
Tune: Leominster
Lyricist: George Matheson

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: SacredHymn   Meter: 66. 86. D (S.M.D.)

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella or keyboard

First published:
Description: An arrangement by Sullivan of a hymn by George William Martin (1828-81)

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

1. Make me a captive, Lord,
 And then I shall be fre;
 Force me to render up my sword,
 And I shall conqueror be.
 I sink in life's alarms
 When by myself I stand;
 Imprison me within Thine arms,
 And strong shall be my hand.

2. My heart is weak and poor
 Until it master find;
 It has no spring of action sure -
 It varies with the wind.
 It cannot freely move,
 Till though hast wrought its chain;
 Enslave it with Thy matchless love,
 And deathless it shall reign.

3. My power is faint and low
 Till I have learned to serve;
 It wants the needed fire to glow,
 It wants the breeze to nerve;
 It cannot drive the world,
 Until itself be driven;
 Its flag can only be unfurled
 When Thou shalt breathe from heaven.

4. My will is not my own
 Till Thou hast made it Thine;
 If it would reach a monarch's throne
 It must its crown resign;
 It only stands unbent,
 Amid the clashing strife,
 When on Thy bosom it has leant
 And found in Thee its life.