Music by William J. Kirkpatrick, 1882 (1838-1921)

    We have heard the joyful sound:

    Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

    Spread the tidings all around:

    Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

    Bear the news to every land,

    climb the steeps and cross the waves;

    Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command;

    Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

    Waft it on the rolling tide:

    Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

    Tell to sinners far and wide:

    Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

    Sing, you islands of the sea;

    echo back, you ocean caves;

    Earth shall keep her jubilee:

    Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

    Sing above the battle strife:

    Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

    By His death and endless life

    Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

    Shout it brightly through the gloom,

    when the heart for mercy craves;

    Sing in triumph o’er the tomb:

    Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

    Give the winds a mighty voice:

    Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

    Let the nations now rejoice:

    Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

    Shout salvation full and free;

    highest hills and deepest caves;

    This our song of victory:

    Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Priscilla Jane Owens (1829-1907), a public school teacher and a Methodist Sunday school teacher in Baltimore, Maryland, wrote this words of gospel song for the anniversary of her Sunday school, but it used a different tune.

The present tune, sometimes called JESUS SAVES, was composed by William James Kirkpatrick in 1882. He worked as a carpenter, but his chief interest was music. He died in his chair in 1921, while composing yet another gospel song.