Jacob's Well

“Jacob’s well” is a carol that has survived outside of hymn books, especially in carols traditionally sung in pubs in South Yorkshire.  Building around the story in John’s Gospel, chapter 5, of the Woman at the well in Sychar, the song contains a vision of Christ travelling through the landscape of Britain.

Although sometimes attributed to Hugh Bourne (1772-1852), the founder of the Primitive Methodists, it seems there were versions of the song in circulation before his time.

“Jacob’s well” was included in “Hymns for the use of the Methodist New Connexion, principally from the collection of J. Wesley”, a Methodist hymnal from 1836.  The Methodist New Connexion was one of the groups that split from original Wesleyan societies and recombined with the United Methodist Free Church and the Bible Christians in 1907 to form the United Methodist Church.

Many thanks to Chris and Kath Jordan, The May Geslins, for recording  the song.

v1.  At Jacob’s well, a Stranger sought
His drooping frame to cheer; (His drooping frame to cheer)
Samaria’s daughter little thought (Samaria’s daughter little thought)
That Jacob’s God was near
Samaria’s daughter little thought
That Jacobs God was near

v2.  This had she known, her fainting mind
For richer draughts had sigh’d; (For richer draughts had sigh’d)
Nor had Messiah, ever kind, (Nor had Messiah, ever kind)
Those richer draughts denied. Nor had Messiah, ever kind,
Those richer draughts denied.

v3.  This ancient well, no glass so true,
Our Nations image shows: (Our Nations image shows)
Now Jesus travels Britain through, (Now Jesus travels Britain through)
But who the Stranger knows? Now Jesus travels Britain through,
But who the stranger knows?

v4.  Yet Britain must the Stranger know
Or soon her loss deplore; (Or soon her loss deplore)
Behold the living waters flow! (Behold the living waters flow)
Come drink, and thirst no more. Behold the living waters flow,
Come drink, and thirst no more.