Just As I Am - Washington National Cathedral: October 31,2010

[@jimtrimmer4336]

As a man of God, I know that my Lord accepts me just as I am.

[@marcusarline1720]

Amen Bro. Jim

[@Murph3579]

I will always remember this powerful song, melody and lyrics and the need for us to give up our lives to Jesus Christ to be saved. Billy Graham Crusade on TV as a kid growing up. Never forget those sermons. Never forget Billy Graham. God Bless!

[@alanspagnolia9474]

This rendition with the organ and the church singing always makes me cry like a baby. SO BEAUTIFUL !!!!

[@newtonowi4165]

alan spagnolia I heard this in my small church this Sunday. for the first time in more than 20 years. I cried

[@thomassuey2975]

+alan spagnolia right on Alan. IT IS SO MOVING

[@kontrahylian]

I love this hymn honestly. I feel secure for I know my Lord and Saviour accepts me just as I am.

[@marcusarline1720]

God Bless you ☺

[@marynexer4748]

The holy spirit breaks all barriers!

[@adajnanukem]

I would serve thee with all my might therefore to thee I come.I come Lord just as I am cause you will never reject me.

[@Chesterbarnes1]

Please know that the ORGAN and the ORGANIST are playing this hymn exceptionally well. Nothing needs to be changed. The tempo....the legato...the registration.... the tone...all done perfectly. Let it alone..........Thank God for the ORGAN and ORGANIST!!!! Amen!

[@timothyj1966]

actually - this is a beautiful Hymn-but the phrasing here is completely wrong.

[@TheJakeman789]

timothyj1966 everything about that cathedral is wrong.

[@Reggie_P]

It is necessary to play hymns at a good positive pace in cathedrals or the congregation and the echo (5 seconds in some cathedrals) will drag and slow the singing too much. In a smaller church, a slightly slower pace would add more meaning.

Too fast to appreciate the meaning of the last line of each stanza. There is no reason to rush through this hymn.

[@Medikus1001]

God says: I like you human being, but you cannot be as you are !

[@hudsonbailey674]

A beautiful and pastoral tone to this 'healing hymn' --- transformed.

[@mrstevebournias]

magnificent tone of any cathedral organ in the entire world

[@nancyjose2308]

How I miss these Cathedral services....+

[@JayyB]

I used to not think too much of this hymn and tune, but this beautiful harmonization has given me a new perspective-more of a quiet, inward reflective mood rather than the bible-thumping, "come on down front" hymn of invitation I'd usually associated it with.

[@hudsonbailey674]

I daren't to clutter 'comments' but I've processed and decided that even High Churchmen and women can confess were it only to themselves, "'Just As I Am' brings out the Protestant in all of us.' Washington National Cathedral draws it out with such richness that even the muses all sing. I see Doctor Graham amongst the Lord's flock at the Cathedral.

[@Ricardo1961D]

Just reported on TV news that Billy Graham died overnight. Several comments here mention associating him with this hymn. Presidential historian Jon Meacham was just interviewed and mentioned the hymn as appropriately being seen as referring to the man himself, who presented himself only as what he appeared to be, just what you see. And of course it also applies to Billy Graham, as to all of us, as sinners in need of God's grace. Beautiful music, beautiful cathedral church. Thanks to all who work to share it with the nation and the world.

[@orettacarter1312]

What a wounderfull hymn of invitation, to welcome sinners to our Lord and Savour Jesus Christ.

[@marcusarline1720]

Come to the Lord

[@seongjinlim3457]

Amen.

[@2snowgirl520]

Awesome!!!!

[@russell2550]

This hymn is used at Billy Graham Crusades and was used at the invitation at Thomas Road Baptist Church when Jerry Falwell had his old time gospel hour.

[@kwin8728]

Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd'st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt; fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind, yea, all I need, in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, thou wilt receive; wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve, because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, thy love unknown has broken every barrier down; now to be thine, yea, thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, of that free love the breadth, length, depth, height to prove, here for a season, then above: O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

[@andrewmatheson9349]

whow so nice

[@704macleod]

Does the organ accompany the choir, or the choir accompany the organ? Or is the mike just too close to the organ? for recording purpose the sentiment and deep meaning f the words should be paramount.

[@donmayer58]

Laurie, indeed the words of this hymn should be paramount. I'm sure this hymn has been used to bring many people into God's kingdom. You know, my mother was a church organist for many years. I am 61 years old. I love church music and organ music very much.

[@edheffron]

Charlotte Elliott, poetess of this hymn, was a member of the Church of England. I agree, Saffron Walden is a much better tune but, sadly, it was omitted from the Hymnal 1982.

[@gmc0422]

I concur with Saffron Walden being a better tune -- it's much more melodic than this one.

[@ernestmskinner]

This needs to be played at a slower tempo. I think the tempo of this organist is not even steady and may indicate that he does not have a good feel for this piece.

[@mortonbelcher]

Ernest M. Skinner I'm wondering if Michael Mc Carthy, the Director of Music, sets the tempo for the hymns... Which is better... hymns sung just a bit faster, or hymns sung a bit slower, and then dragged even more? Opinions differ on how hymns should be sung... Scott Dettra, who was playing the organ for this hymn, now is Director of Music at a church in Dallas, Texas. It would be interesting to see what speed he uses to sing this hymn.

[@hudsonbailey674]

Thank you for your comment but I pray you're the "Skinner" of mighty pipe organs. I'd imagine were this superlative hymn sung slowly it might reflect what many liturgists scorn as "Victorian Sentimentality". Speaking for myself, "This rogue and peasant slave" I treasure "Just As I Am" in any tempo, God's speed, Mr. Skinner.

[@joegilliland9495]

Ernest M. Skinner ((h

[@Randolph1233]

Organ drowns out the voices

[@gmc0422]

I despise this tune. It should be played with full tremulants a la the Low Church, preferably with a "preacher" hollering for people to walk the aisle before it's too late. That said, I'm quite fond of the "Saffron Walden" tune for this hymn.

[@timothyj1966]

so, I guess you don't like Rev. Billy Graham then. LOL... I like the Saffron tune better too... but if this tune was played with the proper tempo and phrasing it can be quite beautiful... this version is way off.

[@gmc0422]

I have nothing against the Reverend Graham. I agree this rendition is not well done -- way too fast for starters.

[@timothyj1966]

This has to be the worse phrasing of this Hymn... completely wrong. Such a shame.

Such an evangelic protestant hymn to be played and sung in a Catholic setting. Ironic. Seems out of place if not outright ridiculous.

[@Reggie_P]

Just read the words - it fits any denomination - and it leads people of all denominations, and none, to Christ

[@yardgoods]

@Red Car What an ignorant and ill-informed comment. The Washington cathedral is Episcopal. Episcopalians (even high-church ones) are Protestant. But that is beside the point. This wonderful hymn is a "one size fits all": appropriately sung in both in Protestant and Catholic churches. Shame on you.

[@charlieirvin5423]

Does the Lord Accept Catholics ? I'm Catholic and I Know we have Sang this in out Parish . I believe i will go to heaven I Believe in God our father.

[@johnbpullin1]

Absolutely! The "church" will not get you anywhere. It is what is in your heart that counts. I have wonderful Christian friends from many different denominations.