I'd say this song is in the "folkie gospel canon," such as it is. That "ten thousand charms" phrase is memorable, and the tune is a gem. I think the Golden Ring recording is what really put it in the "canon," but I may be prejudiced because I think anything Sandy Paton did was golden. But then, the Patons also did "I Will Arise" on the Sharon Mountain Harmony album, and I think their rendition is too "bouncy" on that album. Helen Bonchek Schneyer did a wonderful rendition of "This Old World" on her Somber, Sacred, and Silly album. Janie, I think you and I should learn this one. We could do a good job of it.

-Joe-

It's also in the Rise Up Singing Songbook:

I WILL ARISE AND GO TO JESUS
(words by Robert Robinson, England, ca. 1740)


Come now fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing thy praise.
Streams of mercy never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in his arms.
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

Teach me some melodious song,
As sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it,
Songs of thy redeeming love.

Here I'll raise my songs in praises,
Hither by thy help I'm come.
And I hope by thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.


I've always thought of this as a shape note hymn. I don't know if it's in the Sacred Harp hymnals, but the tune is in that style. I don't think I've heard it sung to the usual tune for "Come thou font" (Net­tle­ton); but now that I think of it, it works pretty well. The melody I like best for "I Will Arise" is Restoration. That's the one you and I should learn, Janie, with these lyrics.

-Joe-