I Cannot Tell

i CANNOT TELL

William Young Fullerton was a Baptist preacher who was born in Belfast in 1857. He wrote many poems and hymns about the Christian journey. He wrote the lyrics to “I Cannot Tell” and put it to the music of “Londonderry Air” or “Danny Boy.” The power of the lyrics and the music immediately caught my attention when I first heard it and I knew I had to do an arrangement.

Laura Morin, Piano
Scott Wiest / Larry Farnes, Vocals

Piano: Jessica Davis

Violin: Jesus Carreon Rosas

Vocals: Katherine Dahl, Hope Blomquist, Nancy Howe, Tyra Haynie, Mike Hood, Jacob Howe, Troy Stewart, Larry Farnes

Lyrics

I cannot tell why he, whom angels worship, should set his love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as shepherd, he should seek the wanderers, to bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that he was born of Mary when Bethl’em’s manger was his only home,
And that he lived at Nazareth and labored, and so the savior, savior of the world, is come.

I cannot tell how silently he suffered, as with his peace he graced this place of tears,
Or 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 savior, savior of the world is here.

But this, I KNOW, he heals the broken-hearted.

But this, I KNOW, He calms each lurking fear.

But this, I KNOW, He lifts the heavy burden.

For still the savior, savior of the world is here.

But this I KNOW. But this I KNOW.

But this I KNOW MY savior of the world is here.

Artwork used by permission from Vanessa Horabuena.