This song came from opening up my old red Episcopal hymnal and finding yet another "lenten" hymn that I liked the words to but wanted to create a new tune for. It took very little work for me to come up with a tune for the verses, and I had a tune for a "chorus" but didn't know what words I would use yet. I sent a draft to Chuck Colson and he was so inspired that he wrote the first verse and most of the chorus.
When we recorded the song it was almost an afterthought for me. I just pulled it out and decided that it would be really interesting to go a different route with the sound of this. Normally, in a church setting, it is very guitar-driven, but in this case, we thought a weeping cello, light as air guitar, and cascading piano would do the trick. Matt and Andrew did their usual magic.
lyrics
O Love with Heights Unknown
Text: Horatius Bonar (1861), Chuck Colson & Rachel Wilhelm; Tune & Arrangement: Rachel Wilhelm
O Love with heights unknown, you took a lowly throne,
With joy and willingly, you bore the cursed tree.
What now can separate, your love from my estate,
Oh speak your peace to me, Oh come and set us free.
Chorus: O Love, come fill my weary heart, speak peace unto my soul, and bid my fears depart!
O Love that casts out fear, O Love that casts out sin,
Tarry no more without, but come and dwell within.
True Sunlight of the soul, surround us as we go,
So shall our way be safe, our feet no straying know.
Great love of God come in. Well-Spring of heavenly peace,
Thou Living Water come, spring up and never cease.
Love of the Living God, of Father and of Son,
Love of the Holy Ghost, fill thou each needy one.
credits
from A Kindling Glance,
released March 16, 2016
Guitars: Wendell Kimbrough
Cello & arrangements: Andrew Litke
Piano: Matthew Billingsley
Vocals: Rachel Wilhelm
Recorded, Engineered, Mixed and Produced by Wendell Kimbrough at Asparagus Studios in Tacoma, MD.
supported by 7 fans who also own “O Love with Heights Unknown”
This is a great collection of settings for the Psalms. It's diverse in it's music as well as in the poetry. Some has a Reformation/Puritan feel, others are much more modern retellings. Garrett Lee
supported by 7 fans who also own “O Love with Heights Unknown”
If I play “be still” followed by “Immanuel,” my 4 month old niece will finally relax and fall asleep. It’s so nice to get to sing to her and enjoy it and worship all at once. Thanks for creating beautiful music that speaks truth. i am Hillary
Oakland singer-songwriter honors her Haitian heritage with five R&B spirituals overflowing with radiance, fueled by her soft, angelic voice. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 22, 2022
Lalin St Juste’s atmospheric R&B songs are as gentle as a spring breeze and as mysterious as a far-off galaxy—engrossing and bewitching. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 15, 2021
supported by 5 fans who also own “O Love with Heights Unknown”
The whole album is a great idea with lots of good execution. The track "Arise, Shine, for Your Light has Come" is a stunning standout. Our church used it four services in a row! Kent Reeder