1. A ruler once came to Jesus by night
To ask Him the way of salvation and light;
The Master made answer in words true and plain,
"Ye must be born again.
Ye must be born again,
Ye must be born again;
I verily, verily say unto thee,
Ye must be born again."
2. Ye children of men, attend to the word
So solemnly uttered by Jesus the Lord;
And let not this message to you be in vain,
"Ye must be born again.
Ye must be born again,
Ye must be born again;
I verily, verily say unto thee,
Ye must be born again."
3. O ye who would enter that glorious rest,
And sing with the ransomed the song of the blest,
The life everlasting if ye would obtain,
"Ye must be born again.
Ye must be born again,
Ye must be born again;
I verily, verily say unto thee,
Ye must be born again."
4. A dear one in heaven thy heart yearns to see,
At the beautiful gate may be watching for thee,
Then list to the note of this solemn refrain,
"Ye must be born again.
Ye must be born again,
Ye must be born again;
I verily, verily say unto thee,
Ye must be born again."
Source: Baptist Hymnal 1991 #322
The Story Behind Ye Must Be Born Again
According to Hymnary.org, "William T. Sleeper attended Phillips-Exeter Academy, the University of Vermont, and the Andover Theological Seminary. After ordination, he conducted home ministry work in Massachusetts and Maine. He later became pastor of the Summer Street Congregational Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he served over 30 years. His works include The Rejected King, and Hymns of Jesus, 1883."
Bible references:
John 3:3 ~ Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 ~ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
John 3:7 ~ Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
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