Side Notes: This hymn was written in 1912 and the lyrics and tune came to C Austin Miles in a dream he had after reading John 20 in the New Testament. He originally worked as a pharmacist but spent his last 37 years working as a composer and publisher, feeling he could accomplish more in the profession of writing gospel tunes. This hymn is about the first encounter between Mary Magdalene and the risen Lord. The lyrics are written from Mary’s point of view where she expresses the great joy, she felt on suddenly hearing and seeing her beloved Savior after witnessing His death and burial. The second and third verse lyrics are: “vs. 2: He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing, And the melody that He gave to me, within my heart is ringing”. vs. 3: “I stayed in the garden with Him, Though the night all around me is falling, but He bids me go, through the voice of woe, His voice to me is calling.
