1. O happy day, that fixed my choice On Thee, my Savior and my God! Well may this glowing heart rejoice And tell its raptures all abroad. 2. O happy bond, that seals my vows To Him who merits all my love! Let cheerful anthems fill His house, While to that sacred shrine I move. 3. 'Tis done, the great transaction's done I am my Lord's and He is mine; He drew me, and I followed on, Charmed to confess the voice divine. 4. Now rest, my long-divided heart, Fixed on this blissful center, rest, Nor ever from my Lord depart, With Him of ev'ry good possessed. Chorus: Happy day, happy day, When Jesus washed my sins away! He taught me how to watch and pray And live rejoicing every day; Happy day, happy day, When Jesus washed my sins away!
Lyrics: Philip Doddridge
Music: Chorus attributed to Edward Francis Rimbault
Tune: HAPPY DAY
Meter: L.M. with Refrain
Philip Doddridge, 1702–1751
Along with Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley, Philip Doddridge is generally ranked as one of England’s finest 18th century hymn writers. “O Happy Day” is Doddridge’s best-known hymn today. The hymn first appeared without the refrain in the 1775 collection of Doddridge’s writings, published posthumously, as were all of his 400 hymn texts. The music did not appear for nearly one hundred years after the text. It was likely adapted from one of the popular secular tunes of that time.