In the garden hymn sheet music

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Representative Text

1 I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

Refrain:
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

2 He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing. [Refrain]

3 I'd stay in the garden with Him
Tho' the night around me be falling;
But He bids me go; thro' the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling. [Refrain]

Baptist Hymnal, 1991

Author: C. Austin Miles

In the garden hymn sheet music
Charles Austin Miles USA 1868-1946. Born at Lakehurst, NJ, he attended the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and the University of PA. He became a pharmacist. He married Bertha H Haagen, and they had two sons: Charles and Russell. In 1892 he abandoned his pharmacy career and began writing gospel songs. At first he furnished compositions to the Hall-Mack Publishing Company, but soon became editor and manager, where he worked for 37 years. He felt he was serving God better in the gospel song writing business, than as a pharmacist. He published the following song books: “New songs of the gospel” (1900), “The service of praise” (1900), “The voice of praise” (1904), “The tribute of song” (1904), “New songs of the gospel… Go to person page >


Text Information

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First Line: I come to the garden alone
Title: In the Garden
Author: C. Austin Miles (1913)
Meter: 8.9.10.7 with refrain
Language: English
Refrain First Line: And he walks with me, and he talks with me
Copyright: Public Domain
Liturgical Use: Songs of Response

  • Year A, Holy Week season, Tuesday of Holy Week
  • Year A, Easter season, Easter Day
  • Year B, Holy Week season, Tuesday of Holy Week
  • Year B, Easter season, Easter Day
  • Year C, Holy Week season, Wednesday of Holy Week
  • Year C, Easter season, Easter Evening

For Leaders

  • Bulletin Blurb
  • Worship Notes
  • Scores

One occasionally hears stories of someone who disappeared and was assumed dead suddenly reappearing to their family and loved ones in a joyful surprise. Imagine how much greater Mary Magdalene's shock and elation was when Jesus, whom she had seen dead and buried three days earlier (Mark 15:40, 47), suddenly called her by name and she turned and saw Him, very much alive and in person (John 20:16). This hymn elaborates on the emotions she may have felt in that moment, when her grief was turned to joy.

Text:

This text was written by C. Austin Miles in 1912. By his own account (as given in George Sanville's Forty Gospel Hymn Stories), he saw a vivid dream after reading John 20, and was then inspired to write this hymn about the first encounter between Mary Magdalene and her risen Lord.

Miles's hymn has been criticized for being overly sentimental and even erotic. When put in the context of the Scripture that inspired it, one can see that Miles wrote the song from Mary's point of view. In it, she expresses the great joy she must have felt on suddenly hearing and seeing her beloved Savior after witnessing His death and burial (Mark 15:40, 47). However, the long and loving communion to which the refrain alludes is not recorded or implied in the biblical account (John 20:14-18), which rather indicates that their conversation was quite short – as soon as Mary recognizes Jesus, He tells her to go. Perhaps Miles means that that moment was so overflowing with the sudden change of emotions from grief to joy that time seemed to stand still.

Tune:

The tune GARDEN was written at the same time as the text by C. Austin Miles. They were published for the first time together in The Gospel Message No. 2 in 1912. Originally, the tune had two-part treble harmony on the stanza and standard four-part harmony on the refrain, but in modern hymnals, the entire hymn is given in four-part harmony. Because the hymn was written from Mary's point of view, it might be good to have the women or a soloist sing the entire song, or just the stanzas (with the entire group on the refrain).

When/Why/How:

Because this hymn narrates and expands on part of the Resurrection account, it is best suited for Easter morning, whether in a simple handbell setting like “In the Garden” as a quiet prelude, or an organ setting for an offertory (as in “With Everlasting Alleluias”, or a choral anthem based on “In the Garden” before the sermon. Unlike many Easter hymns, which overflow with proclamations of victory well suited to brass and full organ, this hymn provides a relatively quiet reflection best suited to simple piano or light instruments.

Tiffany Shomsky,
Hymnary.org

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Instances

Instances (1 - 44 of 44)

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

African American Heritage Hymnal #494

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles, 1868-1946 Meter: 8 9 10 7 with refrain Scripture: Genesis 3:8 Date: 2001 Subject: Fellowship | with God; God | Love and Mercy; Jesus Christ | His Love and Mercy; Jesus Christ | Our Love For Jesus

African American Heritage Hymnal #494

Ambassador Hymnal #548

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: IN THE GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles, 1868-1946 Meter: 8 9 10 7 w/refrain Date: 1994 Subject: Closing Hymns | ; Comfort & Rest | ; Death | ; Devotional | ; Eternal Destiny | ; Forgiveness | ; Inner Life | ; Testimony |

Ambassador Hymnal #548

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

Celebrating Grace Hymnal #200

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles Meter: 8.9.5.5.7 with refrain Scripture: John 20:11-18 Date: 2010 Subject: Christian Year-Eastertide | ; God the Son | Eastertide

Celebrating Grace Hymnal #200

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

Chalice Hymnal #227

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles Meter: 89.557 w. refrain Scripture: John 20:11-17 Date: 1995 Subject: Christian Year: Easter | ; Comfort | ; God Known in Jesus Christ | Resurrection and Exaltation; Jesus Christ | ; Jesus Christ: Resurrection | ; Joy | ; Serenity |

Chalice Hymnal #227

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

Hymns for a Pilgrim People #205

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles, 1868-1946 Meter: Irregular Scripture: John 20:20 Date: 2007 Subject: Assurance | ; Easter | ; Funeral | ; Guidance | ; Jesus Christ | ; Presence of God | ; Resurrection |

Hymns for a Pilgrim People #205

In the garden hymn sheet music

Hymns of Faith #19

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: [I come to the garden alone] Author: C. Austin Miles Scripture: John 20:11-18; John 20:18 Date: 1980 Subject: Christ | Resurrection; Fellowship | with God

Hymns of Faith #19

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

Hymns of Promise #174

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles, 1868-1946 Meter: 8.9.10.7.Ref. Scripture: John 20:1-18 Date: 2015 Subject: Easter |

Hymns of Promise #174

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

Lead Me, Guide Me (2nd ed.) #425

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles, 1868-1946 Meter: 8 9 10 7 with refrain Scripture: John 20:11-18 Date: 2012 Subject: Easter Season | Resurrection; Easter Vigil | ; Guidance | ; Joy | ; Love for Jesus Christ | ; Petition, Prayer | ; Presence of God |

Lead Me, Guide Me (2nd ed.) #425

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism #545

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles, 1868-1946 Meter: 8 9 10 7 with refrain Scripture: Genesis 3:8; Psalm 5:3; John 10:3; John 18:1; John 20:11-18 Date: 2018 Subject: Inner Peace | ; Joy | ; Prayer | ; The Gospel in the Christian Life | Healing and Comfort

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism #545

In the garden hymn sheet music

Rejoice Hymns #507

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles, 1868-1946 Meter: Irregular Date: 2011 Subject: Assurance and Confidence | ; Guidance | ; Prayer |

Rejoice Hymns #507

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

Sing Joyfully #267

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: [I come to the garden alone] Author: C. Austin Miles Date: 1989 Subject: Fellowship | with God

Sing Joyfully #267

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

Songs of Zion #44

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: [I come to the garden alone] Author: C. A. M. Date: 1981 Subject: Hymns |

Songs of Zion #44

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

The New Century Hymnal #237

Display Title: I Come to the Garden Alone (In the Garden) First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles Meter: 8.9.5.5.7. with refrain Scripture: John 20:14-18 Date: 1995 Subject: Biblical Names | ; Easter | ; Jesus Christ | Presence of

The New Century Hymnal #237

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

The United Methodist Hymnal #314

Display Title: In the Garden (I Come to the Garden Alone) First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles Meter: 89.557 with Refrain Scripture: John 20:11-18 Date: 1989 Subject: Biblical Narrative | ; Christ's Gracious Life | Resurrection and Exaltation; Christian Year | Ascension; Christian Year | Easter; Jesus Christ | ; Jesus Christ | Love For; Joy |

The United Methodist Hymnal #314

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

Timeless Truths #962

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: [I come to the garden alone] Author: C. A. M. Meter: 8.9.10.7 R Scripture: John 20:15-16 Subject: Jesus/Savior | Source: Anonymous/Unknown, The Blue Book (1); Timeless Truths (http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/In_the_Garden)

Timeless Truths #962

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

Total Praise #492

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles, 1868-1946 Meter: 8 9 10 7 with refrain Scripture: Genesis 3:8 Date: 2011 Subject: Fellowship with God | ; Guidance | ; Jesus Christ | His Love and Mercy; Jesus Christ | Our Love For Jesus; Joy | ; Prayer and Intercession |

Total Praise #492

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

Worship and Rejoice #300

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles, 1868-1946 Meter: 8.9.10.7.Ref. Scripture: Genesis 3:8; Psalm 5:3; John 10:3; John 10:27; John 20:10-18 Date: 2003

Worship and Rejoice #300

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

Worship and Service Hymnal #311

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: [I come to the garden alone] Author: C. Austin Miles, 1868-1946 Date: 2006 Subject: Christ | Resurrection; Duets | ; Resurrection | ; The Christian Way of Life | Assurance and Trust

Worship and Service Hymnal #311

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

Worship in Song #121

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: IN THE GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles Scripture: John 20:11-18 Date: 1996 Subject: Jesus as friend | ; Joy | ; Living Christ | ; Singing (or Song) |

Worship in Song #121

In the garden hymn sheet music
In the garden hymn sheet music

Yes, Lord! #87

Display Title: In the Garden First Line: I come to the garden alone Tune Title: [I come to the garden alone] Author: C. Austin Miles Date: 1982 Subject: Comfort |

Yes, Lord! #87

찬송과 예배 = Chansong gwa yebae = Come, Let Us Worship #296

Display Title: 저 장 미 꽃 위 에 이 슨 (In the Garden (I Come to the Garden Alone)) First Line: 저 장 미 꽃 위 에 이 슨 (I come to the garden alone) Tune Title: GARDEN Author: C. Austin Miles Meter: 89.557 with Refrain Scripture: John 20:11-18 Date: 2001 Subject: Christian Life | ; Christian Year | Easter; Jesus Christ | Friend; Jesus Christ | Name of; Trust and Assurance | ; 교회 년 | 부활절; 그리스도인의 삶 | ; 신 뢰 와 확신 | ; 예 수 그 리 스 도 | 친 구; 예 수 의 이 름 | Source: Korean trans. The United Methodist Korean Hymnal Committee

찬송과 예배 = Chansong gwa yebae = Come, Let Us Worship #296

Include 201 pre-1979 instances

Is the song in the garden a hymn?

"In the Garden" (sometimes rendered by its first line "I Come to the Garden Alone" is a gospel song written by American songwriter C. ... In the Garden (1912 song).

Is in the garden a funeral song?

“In the Garden” seems like a farewell song, mixing optimism and sadness simultaneously. The hymn was written to comfort and I do find it comforting that someday we'll be welcomed into paradise and have a personal conversation with God in the heavenly garden.

Is in the garden public domain?

It was first published in 1912. Therefore it is now in the public domain in many parts of the USA, and became public domain in many other countries at the beginning of 2017, seventy years after the writer's death.

Who wrote I come to the garden alone lyrics?

Charles Austin MilesI Come to the Garden Alone / Lyricistnull