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PASS ME NOT O GENTLE SAVIOR |
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PERFORMANCES 1999.02.23, BUFFALO, NEW YORK 1999.02.24, AMHERST, MASSACHUSSETS 2000.03.15, SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA 2000.03.21, PULLMAN, WASHINGTON 2000.03.29, BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA (DURING SOUND CHECK ON 2000.07.03, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO) (DURING BAND SOUND CHECK ON 2000.07.26, WANTAGH, NEW YORK WITH CHARLIE SEXTON ON VOCALS) (DURING BAND SOUND CHECK ON 2001.04.27, KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE (DURING BAND SOUND CHECK ON 2001.04.29, BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA) (DURING SOUND CHECK ON 2002.08.15, HAMBURG, NEW YORK) |
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Pass me not, O gentle Savior Hear my humble cry While on others Thou art calling Do not pass me by Savior, Savior Hear my humble cry While on others Thou art calling Do not pass me by Let me at Thy throne of mercy Find a sweet relief Kneeling there in deep contrition Help my unbelief Savior, Savior Hear my humble cry While on others Thou art calling Do not pass me by [ Trusting only in Thy merit Would I seek Thy face Heal my wounded, broken spirit Save me by Thy grace ] Savior, Savior Hear my humble cry While on others Thou art calling Do not pass me by [ Thou the Spring of all my comfort More than life to me Whom have I on earth beside Thee? Whom in heav’n but Thee? ] Savior, Savior Hear my humble cry While on others Thou art calling Do not pass me by [ WORDS BY FRANCES J. CROSBY, 1868; MUSIC BY WILLIAM H. DOANE, 1870 ] |
In all his five performances of "PASS ME NOT O GENTLE SAVIOR" Bob only sings the first two verses, with a slight lyric change in the second. His versions resemble the one recorded by the Stanley Brothers. When Bob Dylan chose to sing this hymn in concert on five nights in 1999 and 2000, he confessed openly that he still is "weeping for the saving grace that's over" him. Addressing his wonderful Savior directly he is aware that sweet relief and help in unbelief is only to be found kneeling at the throne of mercy. Listening to his humble cry in the words written by this blind lady poet from the nineteenth century is the most vulnerable Bob Dylan I have heard since "WHEN HE RETURNS" and "WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU". It still "is only He who can reduce" him "to tears". His Lord is the one who has "given all there is to give". "He knows your needs even before you ask". Biblical references: ~ Hebrews 4 ~ Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. |
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