
There is a Fountain
ARRANGED FOR SSAATTBB CHOIR AND CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Instrumentation
Flute
Oboe doubling English Horn
Clarinet in B
Bassoon
Horn in F
Harp
Percussion
triangle, suspended cymbal, orchestra bells
SSAATTBB Choir
Violin I & II
Viola
Cello
Contrabass
♭
Program Notes
“There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood” is a timeless Christian hymn written by William Cowper (pronounced Cooper) in 1772. Cowper, an English poet who struggled with severe depression, found solace in his faith, which is reflected in this hymn’s powerful imagery and message of redemption. The hymn was published in the influential 1779 collection "Olney Hymns," co-authored with John Newton. Known for its opening lines, “There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins,” the hymn emphasizes the cleansing power of Christ’s blood for sinners. It has been set to various tunes, with Lowell Mason’s “Cleansing Fountain” being the most popular. This beloved hymn continues to be cherished in Christian worship for its profound expression of salvation and grace.