Amen, Amen

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Amen, Amen

Contents

TopMediaTextAuthor (verses)Author (refrain)Author (refrain)Text InfoNotesTuneTimelineArrangementsPage ScansInstances

See the little baby

Author (verses): Jester Hairston; Author (refrain): B.H. Hogan; Author (refrain): Laura B. DavisTune: AMEN (Spiritual)Published in 27 hymnalsPrintable scores: PDF, MusicXMLAudio files: MIDI, Recording Pair with other hymns

Piano/Organ
	Amen Is Where We Begin

Choral
	AMEN

PowerPoint
	AMEN, AMEN (Presbyterian Hymnal 299)

Representative Text

Refrain: Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen. Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen.

1 See the baby, lyin' in the manger on Christmas mornin'. [Refrain]

2 See Him at the temple, talkin' to the elders; how they marveled at his wisdom,

3 See Him at the Jordan where John was baptizin' and savin' all sinners. [Refrain]

4 See Him at the seaside, talkin' to the fishermen and makin' them disciples. [Refrain]

5 Marchin' in Jerusalem, over palm branches, in pomp and splendor. [Refrain]

6 See Him in the garden, prayin' to His Father, in deepest sorrow.

7 Led before Pilate, then they crucified Him, but He rose on Easter. [Refrain]

8 Hallelujah! He died to save us and He lives for ever. [Refrain]Source: One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: an African American ecumenical hymnal #294All representative texts • Compare texts • Text size: Regular | Large^ top

Author (verses): Jester Hairston

(no biographical information available about Jester Hairston.) Go to person page >

Author (refrain): B.H. Hogan

Rev. Broadus Henry Hogan Go to person page >

Author (refrain): Laura B. Davis

Laura Belle Davis. Born 20 Oct. 1909 in Indianapolis, daughter of William Scott Davis and Clara Montague. Go to person page >^ top

Text Information

• Text Information
• Scripture References
• Languages

First Line:	See the little baby
Title:	Amen, Amen
Author (verses):	Jester Hairston
Author (refrain):	B.H. Hogan
Author (refrain):	Laura B. Davis
Meter:	Irregular
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	Amen, Amen
Notes:	Ostinato refrain
Copyright:	Refrain ©1935 Homer A. Rodeheaver, renewed 1963, sold to Word Music in 1969 [expired in 2011]. Melody and Lyrics by Hairston ©1957 Walter Schumann Co., acquired in 1965 by Bourne Music Co., renewed in 1985.

• Psalm 24:7 (hymns)
• Psalm 89:52 (hymns)
• Matthew 26:36-46 (hymns)
• Matthew 27:32-54 (hymns)
• Matthew 28:1-7 (hymns)
• Mark 1:29-39 (hymns)
• Mark 3:7-12 (hymns)
• Mark 6:53-56 (hymns)
• Mark 14:32-42 (hymns)
• Mark 15:21-39 (hymns)
• Mark 16:1-7 (hymns)
• Luke 2:6-50 (hymns)
• Luke 5:1-3 (hymns)
• Luke 5:15 (hymns)
• Luke 22:26-47 (hymns)
• Luke 24:1-8 (hymns)
• John 1:14 (hymns)
• John 19:16-30 (hymns)
• John 20:1-18 (hymns)
• Romans 6:6-10 (hymns)
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (hymns)
• 1 Peter 2:24 (hymns)
• Revelation 22:5 (hymns)
• Revelation 22:20 (hymns)

English

• 50 Sacred Favorites #4
• African American Heritage Hymnal #649
• African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #172
• Bible Songs on Timeless Themes #29
• Hymns for the Living Church #126
• Lift Every Voice and Sing II: an African American hymnal #233
• New Church Praise #84
• One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: an African American ecumenical hymnal #294
• Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #365
• Sing With Me #88
10 shown out of 20

Korean

• 찬송과 예배 = Chansong gwa yebae = Come, Let Us Worship: the Korean-English Presbyterian hymnal and service book #173

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Notes

Scripture References: st. 1 = Luke 2:6-7 st. 2 = Luke 2:46-47 st. 3 = Mark 3:7-12, Mark 6:53-56 st. 4 = Matt. 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46 st. 5 = Matt. 27:32-35, Matt. 28:1, Mark 15:21-26, Mark 16:1-7, Luke 23:26-34, Luke 24:1-8, John 19:16-18, John 20:1-2

A traditional African American spiritual, "Amen" arose from oral tradition; thus different hymnals contain variations in the text. Donald Hustad believes "Amen" probably comes from the twentieth century. With a choral arrangement by long-time promoter of spirituals Jester Hairston, this hymn was the theme song for the film Lilies of the Field (1963) starring Sidney Poitier. The text gives glimpses into Jesus' life: his birth (st. 1); his wisdom as a twelve-year-old, which astounded the temple rulers (st. 2); his preaching and healing ministry (st. 3); his suffering in Gethsemane (st. 4); and his crucifixion and victorious resurrection (st. 5). All text is framed by the repeated "Amen" responses; as we sing we reaffirm that “truly, truly, this is the gospel!”

Liturgical Use: Christmas Day; Epiphany; Lent; Easter; anytime with children; whenever you need a simple attractive synopsis of Christ's life set to essentially two-part music.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988

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Tune

AMEN (Spiritual)The traditional call-and-response structure calls for a soloist on the text, with everyone singing the ostinato pattern of "Amens," either in unison or harmony. The soloist may apply rhythmic and melodic freedom to the lines. If possible, sing unaccompanied, or use piano, guitars, and/or string bass…

Go to tune page >

All tunes published with 'Amen, Amen'^ top

Timeline

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Arrangements

• Store

Piano/Organ Amen Is Where We Begin Amen Is Where We Begin More Piano/Organ...
Choral AMEN More Choral...
PowerPoint AMEN, AMEN (Presbyterian Hymnal 299) More PowerPoint...

More arrangements^ top

Media

• Scores
• Audio

Worship and Rejoice #249

• Full Score (PDF, XML)
• Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF, XML)
• Bulletin Score (PDF, XML)

• Audio recording from The Faith We Sing #2072
• MIDI file from Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #365
• MIDI file from Worship and Rejoice #249
• MIDI file from With Heart and Voice: songs for all God's children #87

^ top

Page Scans

View PageWorship and Rejoice (2003), p.273^ top

Instances in all hymnals

Instances (1 - 22 of 22)Add/Remove Fields

African American Heritage Hymnal #649

Display Title: Amen First Line: See the baby Tune Title: [See the baby] Scripture: Psalm 89:52 Date: 2001 Subject: Jesus Christ | His Ascension and Reign; Jesus Christ | His Glory and Power; Jesus Christ | His Life and Ministry Source: Traditional African American Heritage Hymnal #649

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #172

Display Title: Amen, Amen First Line: See the little baby lying in a manger Tune Title: AMEN Author: John F. Wilson, 1929- Scripture: John 1:14 Date: 2011 Subject: Jesus | Resurrection; Jesus Christ | Resurrection Source: Trad. Spiritual African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #172

Bible Songs on Timeless Themes #29

Display Title: Amen First Line: Amen Tune Title: [Amen] Author: Eugene B. Navias Date: 1991 Bible Songs on Timeless Themes #29

Lift Every Voice and Sing II #233

Display Title: Amen First Line: See the little baby Tune Title: [See the little baby] Date: 1993 Subject: Hymns and Songs | Benediction Source: Traditional Lift Every Voice and Sing II #233

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism #294

Display Title: Amen First Line: See the baby Tune Title: [See the baby] Date: 2018 Subject: Death of Jesus Christ | ; Jesus Christ | Life and Ministry; Jesus Christ | Resurrection; Mercy | ; Spirituals | ; The Celebration of the Gospel Story | Life of Christ Source: Traditional One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism #294

Praise! Our Songs and Hymns #207

Display Title: Amen! First Line: See the little baby Tune Title: [See the little baby] Date: 1979 Subject: Christ | His Earthly Ministry Source: Traditional Praise! Our Songs and Hymns #207

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #365

Display Title: Amen, Amen First Line: See the little baby Tune Title: AMEN (Spiritual) Meter: irregular Scripture: Luke 2:46-47 Date: 1987 Subject: Christmas | ; Cross of Christ | ; Epiphany & Ministry of Christ | ; Songs for Children | Hymns Source: Afro-American spiritual Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #365

Sing With Me #88

Display Title: Amen First Line: See the little Baby lying in a manger Tune Title: AMEN Meter: Irregular Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46; Matthew 27:32-54; Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 3:7-12; Mark 6:53-56; Mark 14:32-42; Mark 15:21-39; Mark 16:1-7; Luke 2:6-7; Luke 2:46-47; Luke 22:26-47; Luke 22:39-46; Luke 24:1-8; John 19:16-30; John 20:1-18 Date: 2006 Subject: Know | Christmas/Birth of Christ; Songs with Non-Western Roots | African-American Source: Afro-American spiritual Sing With Me #88

Songs of Faith and Praise #966

Display Title: Amen First Line: Lyin' in a manger Tune Title: AMEN Meter: Irregular Date: 1994 Source: Traditional Songs of Faith and Praise #966

Songs of Praise #112

Display Title: Amen First Line: See the little baby, lyin' in a manger Date: 1986 Songs of Praise #112

Songs of the Church #697

Display Title: Amen First Line: Lyin' in a manger Tune Title: [Lyin' in a manger] Date: 1990 Source: Traditional Spiritual Songs of the Church #697

Songs of the Kingdom (3rd ed.) #701

Display Title: Amen First Line: Lying in the manger Date: 2015 Source: Traditional Spiritual Songs of the Kingdom (3rd ed.) #701

Songs #57a

Display Title: Amen First Line: Amen Hallelujah Date: 1988 Subject: Benediction Songs | ; Children Of All Ages | ; Classic Gospel and Spiritual Standards | ; Pea-Pickers Medley | ; Rhythm and Blues/Spirituals Old and Modern | Songs #57a

The Covenant Hymnal #208

Display Title: Amen First Line: See the little baby Tune Title: [See the little baby] Scripture: Revelation 22:20 Date: 1996 Subject: Bible Narratives | ; Epiphany | Life Source: African-American spiritual The Covenant Hymnal #208

The Faith We Sing #2072

Display Title: Amen, Amen First Line: O see the little baby lying in a manger Tune Title: AMEN, AMEN Meter: Irregular with refrain Scripture: Luke 2:7; Luke 2:46-47; Luke 5:1-3; Luke 5:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Peter 2:24; Revelation 22:5 Date: 2001 Subject: The Grace of Jesus Christ | In Praise of Christ Source: African-American spiritual The Faith We Sing #2072

The New Century Hymnal #161

Display Title: Amen, Amen First Line: O see the little baby Tune Title: AMEN Meter: Irr. Scripture: Mark 3:7-10; Luke 2:7-47; Romans 6:6-10 Date: 1995 Subject: Christmas | ; Jesus Christ | Epiphany and Youth; Jesus Christ | Life and Ministry; Jesus Christ | Resurrection; Year A | Christmas 1; Year B | Epiphany 4; Year C | Christmas 1; Year C | Epiphany 4 Source: African-American spiritual The New Century Hymnal #161

The Presbyterian Hymnal #299

Display Title: Amen, Amen First Line: See the little baby Tune Title: [See the little baby] Meter: Irregular Date: 1990 Subject: Jesus Christ | Life Source: African-American spiritual The Presbyterian Hymnal #299

Total Praise #636

Display Title: Amen First Line: See the baby Tune Title: [See the baby] Scripture: Psalm 89:52 Date: 2011 Subject: Amens | ; Jesus Christ | His Ascension and Reign; Jesus Christ | His Glory and Power; Jesus Christ | His Life and Ministry; Service Music | ; Spirituals | Source: Traditional Total Praise #636

With Heart and Voice #87

Display Title: Amen, Amen First Line: See the little baby Tune Title: AMEN Meter: irregular Date: 1989 Subject: The Church Year | Epiphany Source: Afro-American spiritual With Heart and Voice #87

Worship and Rejoice #249

Display Title: Amen, Amen First Line: See the little baby lying in a manger Tune Title: [See the little baby, lying in the manger] Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 1:29-39; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 2:16; Luke 2:41-50; Luke 22:40-46 Date: 2003 Subject: Service Music | Amen Source: African-American spiritual Worship and Rejoice #249

Worship in Song #101

Display Title: See the Little Baby First Line: See the little baby Tune Title: [See the little baby] Author: John F. Wilson Date: 1996 Subject: African-American spiritual | African-American spiritual; Children | ; Cross | ; Crucifixion | ; Easter | ; Eternal Life | ; Resurrection | ; Sin | ; Story of Jesus | Worship in Song #101

찬송과 예배 = Chansong gwa yebae = Come, Let Us Worship #173

Display Title: 아 멘 아 멘 (Amen, Amen) First Line: 구 유 아 에 겨 신 (See the little baby) Tune Title: AMEN, AMEN Meter: Irr. Date: 2001 Subject: Children's Choir Selection | ; Holy Communion | ; Jesus Christ | ; Jesus Christ | Life and Ministry; Service Music | ; 기도 /축 복 송 / 기타 | ; 성만찬 | ; 어 린 이 합 창 곡 | ; 예 수 그 리 스 도 | ; 예수의생애 와 사역 | Source: African American spiritual 찬송과 예배 = Chansong gwa yebae = Come, Let Us Worship #173 Include 5 pre-1979 instancesAll instances^ top Suggestions or corrections? Contact us About | Copyright | Privacy | Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Publisher Partnerships | Give | Get Hymnary Pro It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.