I Could Not Do Without Thee (Feat. Tommaso Strada)
Francis-Inspired Acoustic Folk Song | I Could Not Do Without Thee (Feat. Tommaso Strada) by Ellohay Music | Stream Free
A new song based off an old hymn.
Ellohay Music uses original composition, lyrics and a blend of virtual and real instruments to promote deep thinking, encouragement and challenge.
Hello, this is the page for Ellohay Music. I am a one-person band for the moment, though someday I hope to expand and include other people. I am based out of rural Pennsylvania.
"I Could Not Do Without Thee (Feat. Tommaso Strada)" by Ellohay Music is an Acoustic Folk production available on SoundClick. The production choices feel intentional, giving the track a distinct character. Representing the charismatic sound of acoustic folk in Pennsylvania, this track speaks for itself. With a peak of #1 on the main SoundClick Acoustic chart, this is one of the strongest-performing Acoustic Folk releases on the platform. Listeners who follow Francis will feel right at home with this Ellohay Music release on SoundClick.
Story behind the song
Francis Ridley Havergal wrote the hymn "I Can Not Do Without Thee" in 1873 and first published in her book of poetry "Under the Surface" in 1874. It went through many revisions and was included in numerous hymnals but fell out of use in recent times.
I wanted to create a modern hymn based off folk music. I found the Pennsylvania Dutch tune "In Einem Kiehlen Grunde" and found that it paired almost perfectly with Havergal's words, which I first found in "The Albatross Hymnbook". Then I collected all the verses of the hymn, kept the ones I considered best, created a fourth verse from pieces of rejected verses and added a chorus.
Guitarist Tommaso Strada kindly played the instrumentation for my vocals and Tiffany Diaz painted the cover art.
If you would like the sheet music, you can download it here: https://www.keepandshare.com/doc20/24545/i-could-not-do-without-thee-final-pdf-41k?da=y
Lyrics
I could not do without Thee
O, Savior of the lost
Whose precious blood redeemed me
At such tremendous cost
Thy righteousness, Thy pardon
Thy wondrous love must be
My only lasting comfort
Hope, glory and my plea
Savior of the lost!
Savior of the lost!
My hope abides in Thy sacrifice
O, Savior of the lost!
I could not do without Thee
I cannot stand alone
I have no strength nor goodness
Nor wisdom of my own.
Yet in my darkest hour
Thy grace is there for me
In weakness or in power
Still I rely on Thee
I could not do without Thee
For no one else can see
My spirit's hidden longings
Interpreting its need
No human heart can enter
Each dim recess of mine
Or know and soothe and calm it
O, Blessed Lord, like Thine
(Chorus)
I could not do without Thee
Lord Jesus, Shepherd, Friend
When eyes are cloaked in worry
Thy comfort is at hand
And in Thy sweet communion
My lonely soul is blessed
For Thou are joy eternal
Yes, everlasting rest!
(Chorus)
