1
Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters,
Chained like a slave I struggled in vain;
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.
Chained like a slave I struggled in vain;
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.
Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom,
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator,
Now and forever He shall be mine.
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator,
Now and forever He shall be mine.
2
Freedom from all the carnal affections,
Freedom from envy, hatred and strife;
Freedom from vain and worldly ambitions.
Freedom from all that saddened my life.
Freedom from envy, hatred and strife;
Freedom from vain and worldly ambitions.
Freedom from all that saddened my life.
3
Freedom from pride and all sinful follies,
Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil temper and anger,
Glorious freedom, rapture untold.
Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil temper and anger,
Glorious freedom, rapture untold.
4
Freedom from fear with all of its torments,
Freedom from care with all of its pain;
Freedom in Christ my blessed Redeemer,
He who has rent my fetters in twain.
Freedom from care with all of its pain;
Freedom in Christ my blessed Redeemer,
He who has rent my fetters in twain.
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Detroit, MI, United States
Haldor Lillenas was "one of the most important twentieth-century gospel hymn writers and publishers" and is regarded as "the most influential Wesleyan / Holiness songwriter and publisher in the 20th century". Additionally, Lillenas was an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene, author, song evangelist, poet, music publisher and prolific hymnwriter, who is estimated to have composed over 4,000 hymns, the most famous being Wonderful Grace of Jesus. In 1931 Lillenas was the producer of Glorious Gospel Songs, the first hymnal for the Church of the Nazarene. In 1982 Lillenas was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Like many Scandinavians at that time, Lillenas was raised in a Lutheran family. The Lillenas family were devout in their religious life, and attended community services when held in their area. At the age of fifteen Lillenas became a confirmed member of the Lutheran Church in Hawick. However, Lillenas indicated in his autobiography that at that time, he had not experienced "the miracle of the new birth". As a young boy, Lillenas had been befriended by an elderly woman who taught him English, and told him about Jesus. As a consequence, in 1906 Lillenas began to attend meetings at the Peniel Mission, a holiness rescue mission, in Astoria, Oregon where this woman was an active worker. According to Lillenas in a 1948 interview, it was shortly after the death of his mother, soon after moving to Astoria, one summer evening "he paused to listen to a street corner service. There he heard for the first time the strains of 'Tell Mother I’ll Be There'. He made his decision then to devote his life to Christian service." According to McGraw, the "singing and testimonies brought conviction to his heart. Later that year he was saved, and three weeks later his heart was cleansed. Soon he was "helping in the mission, singing to his heart's content, witnessing with joy to 'the wonderful grace of Jesus,' and writing songs with increasing skill and volume."
In 1907 Lillenas moved to Portland, Oregon, where he worked with the Peniel Mission. All Peniel Mission workers were unsalaried, but the local mission paid for most of their expenses. Soon after, Lillenas testified that he believed he was called to be a minister of the gospel, at which time he was appointed leader of the Portland mission. During his year of leadership, "he saw so many souls won to Christ that he felt more certain than ever that he should devote his life to the Lord's work." In 1908 Lillenas became a member of the Portland First Church of the Nazarene. Soon after Lillenas enrolled in the ministerial course of studies, which he began by correspondence. Soon afterwards, Lillenas joined a vocal group associated with the Salvation Army called the "Charioteers’ Brigade", which held street meetings and revival services throughout a large portion of California.
As a result of some generous donations, and the efforts of Rev. A.O. Hendricks, pastor of the Portland Church of the Nazarene, in 1909 Lillenas was able to continue his ministerial studies at the Deets Pacific Bible College, an antecedent of Point Loma Nazarene University. Additionally, Lillenas was able to secure part-time work to finance his studies, but by the end of the year accepted the ministry as the music director of a local church, and active in songwriting and preaching. During this time Lillenas studied voice at the Lyric School of Music in Los Angeles.
While at Deets College Lillenas was in a college group that held evangelistic services most weekends. On this team was another student, Bertha Mae Wilson, the oldest daughter of Rev. William C. Wilson then pastor of Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene., but later a general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene. Lillenas and Bertha Mae both preached, sang, and wrote songs, and often practised in the home of her father. In his autobiography Lilenas recalled: "We soon learned that our voices blended well and so we arranged it that our lives should also be blended." On 4 October 1910 Lillenas married Bertha Mae. Bertha Mae was later an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene and composer. They had two children.
After a visit to Israel in 1955, Lillenas sponsored a Palestinian Greek Orthodox family he had met as immigrants to the USA, that included twelve-year old Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, the convicted assassin of Robert F. Kennedy. After their arrival in Pasadena, California in January 1957, the Sirhan family stayed with Lillenas for three months in his home, before moving into a home Lillenas rented and furnished for them. When Mary Sirhan's husband abandoned her and her two sons, and returned to Jordan, Lillenas ensured that they were able to remain in the USA. - Wikipedia
Oistins, Christ Church, Barbados
Woke up with this song in my spirit this Fathers' Day. I just has to find the song online. We will be singing it in our church service this morning. Wonderful freedom, glorious freedom, no more in chains of sin I repine! Free and free indeed! Hallelujah amen !
Arcadia, CA
Praise The Lord for freeing us from the bondage of the world!
Abuja, FCT, Nigeria
This song gives me peace and hope in God.
Romford, Essex, United Kingdom
"Freedom from care with all of its pain"
When these words first touched me, I was so released. I realized that in my life things that I cared about (even cared for in a good way) brought so much pain. I realized that I really needed to be freed from caring, but I couldn't. But, glorious freedom is not found in our trying to stop being the way we are. That kind of human effort to change and adjust ourselves results in more pain.
But, hallelujah! One day I found that this glorious freedom is found in a Person! Freedom is in Christ Jesus our glorious Emancipator. I love this Person.
Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
I was raised in an Evangelical, Christian, missionary home and grew up thinking I was a Christian and trying to live like one. I did not know that I wasn't a Christian until Jesus brought me to utter despair and then saved me on the night of Sept 19, 1999 at the age of 38 in the kitchen of my home. Glorious Freedom.
Glen Innes, NSW, Australia
I've fallen into some sin in my life that I'm struggling to get free of. This song is a great reminder I can be free in Christ. Thank you Jesus for my liberty! I claim it right now in Jesus' name! Amen.
Decatur, Illinois, United States
This hymn came to my mind as I realized I was free of fear and guilt! I had been so afraid of the future since my husband was diagnosed with brain cancer and with massive medical bills. I then became fearful that I had not done God's will in helping fellow Christians who were in other types of bondages. I was so glad to find this site and the words and music of the song that was playing in my head and heart. I want to stay free so I can continue to have peace and thereby glorify my Lord Jesus Christ.
Houston, TX, United States
The experience I had when I was saved by the Lord, even now I can still experience it whenever I turn from the world and the self to the Lord. Praise Him all my life!
London, United Kingdom
Once I was bound by sin's galling fetters,
Chained like a slave I struggled in vain;
But I receive a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.
I had this exact experience until some Christians opened up the Scripture to me so I could receive Jesus and be set free. If anyone reading this is a captive of sin, as I was, Jesus can help you!
Hallelujah!