1. I love Thee, I love Thee, I love Thee, my Lord; I love Thee, my Savior, I love Thee, my God; I love Thee, I love Thee, and that Thou dost know; But how much I love Thee my actions will show. 2. I'm happy, I'm happy, oh, wondrous account! My joys are immortal, I stand on the mount; I gaze on my treasure and long to be there, With Jesus and angels and kindred so dear. 3. O Jesus, my Savior, with Thee I am blest, My life and salvation, my joy and my rest; Thy Name be my theme, and Thy love be my song; Thy grace shall inspire both my heart and my tongue. 4. O, who's like my Savior? He's Salem's bright King; He smiles and He loves me and helps me to sing; I'll praise Him, I'll praise Him with notes loud and clear, While rivers of pleasure my spirit shall cheer.
Lyrics: Traditional American folk hymn
Music: Traditional American folk hymn
Tune: I LOVE THEE
Meter: 11.11.11.11.
An American Folk Hymn taken from Ingall’s Christian Harmony, 1805
For the Christian, a hymn about love is appropriate for Valentine’s Day, and no sweeter expression of one’s love for Christ can be found than these anonymous lines from an early American folk hymn.
For the early Christians, February 14 was a special day. Tradition tells us that a man by the name of Valentine was a Christian doctor who went about doing good deeds wherever he could, in imitation of his Master. Valentine became a good friend and helper to the Christians, who were being persecuted by the cruel powers of the Roman Empire. It is believed that the good doctor was eventually imprisoned because of his loyalty to his fellow “followers of the Way.” After he was beheaded on February 14, that day was observed each year in Valentine’s honor by the early Christians.