PROGRAM NOTE
The composer William Doane sought out Fanny Crosby to write verses based on the theme “Pass me not, O gentle Saviour.” Fanny Crosby was known to come up with lyrics quickly but in this case, struggled for some weeks until, while speaking at a Manhattan prison service, one of the men cried out, “Good Lord! Do not pass me by.” This man may have felt forgotten by society, but he did not want to be forgotten by God. This gave her the inspiration for the song, which she wrote that evening, and since its publication in 1870 has served as a compelling song of invitation.
Pass me not, O loving Saviour,
Hear my humble cry;
And while others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
Saviour! Saviour! Hear my humble cry,
And while others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by. (S.A.S.B. 782)
Also interspersed over the course of this hymn setting are references to a refrain by Herbert Booth (S.A.S.B. 716):
Let me love Thee, Saviour,
Take my heart forever;
Nothing but Thy favour my soul can satisfy.
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Dr. Harold Burgmayer served as Divisional Music Director for the USA Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division from 1981 to 2015, where he conducted and wrote extensively for the Pendel Brass and Singers. From 2015 until his retirement in early 2022, Harold assumed the role of Territorial Music Secretary for the USA Central Territory where he was responsible for the Chicago Staff Band and the Central Territorial Staff Songsters, for which he arranged over 40 pieces, as well as gave oversight to the publication of the American Festival Series and the Hallelujah Choruses series.