I am hoping that someone on this site might be able to tell me the origin of the following words:

Jesus' blood never failed me yet
Never failed me yet
Jesus' blood never failed me yet
There's one thing I know
For he loves me so

The following is from Wikipedia:

Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet is a 1971 composition by Gavin Bryars. It is formed on a loop[1] of an unknown tramp singing a brief stanza. Rich harmonies—comprising string and brass—are gradually overlaid over the stanza

Wikipedia entry

You can also read some more about the piece on Gavin Bryars' site

Bryars was on a BBC radio program The Choir in March 2008 and he spoke about this piece. He did say that neither he or his publishers had been able to track down the origin of the words.

It might well be that the tramp came up with the words himself but if any of you know of the source or possible source of the words could you let me know