Desert Island Hymns

Today’s Desert Island Hymn is, “I cannot tell” is selected by Steph Dunleavy.

Written by Rev’d William Young Fullerton (1857-1932) who was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and raised as Presbyterian, but later became a Baptist preacher, administrator, and writer. As a young man he was influenced by the preaching of evangelist, Charles Spurgeon, who became his friend and mentor and became the pastor of the Melbourne Hall Baptist Church. Thousands of people came to Christ under his ministry. He was tall, but very a[pproachable and kind. Fullerton served as President of the Baptist Union and Home Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society. 

He spoke frequently at Keswick Conventions. He published works, including biographies of John Bunyan, Charles Spurgeon, James William Condell Fegan, and Frederick Brotherton Meyer. He also wrote missionary histories and devotionals. He compiled several hymnals as well. He died at Bedford Park, Middlesex.

The hymn traces many of the questions a follower of Jesus may ponder but counter balances this agains a statement of assurance in the words, ‘but this I know.’ Paul shared a similar unknowing/knowing experience when writing to the Corinthians; ‘For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end.” 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 (NIV)

1 I cannot tell how he whom angels worship

should stoop to love the peoples of the earth,

or why as shepherd he should seek the wanderers

with his mysterious promise of new birth.

But this I know, that he was born of Mary,

when Bethlehem's manger was his only home,

and that he lived at Nazareth and laboured,

and so the saviour, saviour of the world, is come.

2 I cannot tell how silently he suffered,

as with his peace he graced this place of tears,

nor how his heart upon the cross was broken,

the crown of pain to three and thirty years.

But this I know, he heals the broken-hearted,

and stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,

and lifts the burden from the heavy laden,

for still the saviour, saviour of the world, is here.

3 I cannot tell how he will win the nations,

how he will claim his earthly heritage,

how satisfy the needs and aspirations

of east and west, of sinner and of sage.

But this I know, all flesh shall see his glory,

and he shall reap the harvest he has sown,

and some glad day his sun shall shine in splendour

when he the saviour, saviour of the world, is known.

4 I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,

when, at his bidding, every storm is stilled,

or who can say how great the jubilation

when all our hearts with love for him are filled.

But this I know, the skies will sound his praises,

ten thousand thousand human voices sing,

and earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer:

'At last the saviour, saviour of the world, is king!'