This song was published in 1900. I remember singing this as a child in church.
I was reading in I Peter today, Chap 1:8 Whom [Jesus Christ], having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. This is probably the basis for the author’s writing the words since he uses the last phrase in the chorus.
Barney Elliott Warren 1867-1951; or B E Warren. According to HymnTime: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/w/a/r/warren_be.htm, Mr. Warren wrote lyrics to 280 Hymns. They list 4 to which he wrote both the words and music. There are at least 5 others in the list of 280 to which he wrote both the words and the music: “Beautiful”[Robes], “Victory”, “It Is Truly Wonderful”, “Joy Unspeakable”, and “When The Bridegroom Cometh”.
Warren was a Church of God minister as well as a song writer, and pastored several congregations. He also worked on producing song books and hymnals for the Gospel Trumpet Company from 1888 until 1940. His works include
- Echoes From Glory, with Daniel Warner (Grand Junction, Michigan: The Gospel Trumpet Publishing Company, 1893)[1]
http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/j/o/y/joyunspk.htm The tempo of the music played at HymnTime is, to me, a good tempo. I think this song should always be sung joyfully. Just read the words to the stanzas and let the words soak in:
JOY UNSPEAKABLE Key: Bb 4/4
W & M By Barney E Warren (1900)
1. I have found His grace is all complete, He supplieth every need;
While I sit and learn at Jesus' feet, I am free, yes, free indeed.
CHORUS:
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.
2. I have found the pleasure I once craved, It is joy and peace within;
What a wondrous blessing I am saved, From the awful gulf of sin.
3. I have found that hope so bright and clear, Living in the realm of grace;
Oh, the Savior's presence is so near, I can see His smiling face.
4. I have found the joy no tongue can tell, How its waves of glory roll!
It is like a great o'erflowing well, Springing up within my soul.
This song brings a smile to my face for indeed there is joy unspeakable living by his power, freed from sin.
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