1.

In Egypt I once was in slavery bound;
My heart on Christ Jesus was set.
I slaved, temp’ring bricks, gath’ring straw all around.
My heart on Christ Jesus was set.
I labored and toiled but never had rest.
With whips Pharaoh’s watchmen stood guard.
No mercy they had; they harassed and oppressed.
Their hearts were so callous and hard.

Chorus:

/: My heart on Christ Jesus was set. :/
O that’s why I’m happy, yes, that’s why I’m free.
My heart on Christ Jesus was set.

2.

From slavery’s yoke I had longed to be free.
My heart on Christ Jesus was set.
But taskmasters’ lies had been planted in me.
My heart on Christ Jesus was set.
“Be faithful,” they’d said. “It’s God’s calling for you
To temper the bricks in the fire
And gather more straw. It is this you must do.
For this is what God does require.”

3.

So as I was gathering straw far away,
My heart on Christ Jesus was set.
A “Moses” from Midian met me one day.
My heart on Christ Jesus was set.
He showed me the lies and deceit I was in.
His words brought me comfort untold.
He showed me the folly of how I had been;
’Twas then on my staff I took hold.

4.

I walked through the desert with one goal in mind.
My heart on Christ Jesus was set.
I knew that my faith would be tried and refined.
My heart on Christ Jesus was set.
And now milk and honey I eat with delight.
I’ve left Egypt’s flesh pots behind.
The sky overhead is so clear and so bright,
For Christ has Himself o’er me shined.

Written by Edwin Bekkevold (published in 1920)Composed by Herbert H. BoothText © Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters ForlagNorway ⋅ C