Lyrics
Verse 1
There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Emmanuel's veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.
Chorus
Lose all their guilty stains,
Lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.
Verse 2
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he,
Washed all my sins away.
Chorus
Wash all my sins away,
Wash all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away.
Verse 3
Ever since, by faith, I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.
Chorus
And shall be till I die,
And shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
This hymn pictures the cross as a fountain "filled with blood" that cleanses sinners of guilt. The opening image of a flood in which "sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains" is drawn from Scripture's language of cleansing, and it echoes the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness in Zechariah 13:1.
The second verse turns to the dying thief, who rejoiced to see that fountain, and the singer admits to being "vile as he". That comparison recalls the criminal beside Jesus in Luke 23:42-43, who asked to be remembered and received a promise of paradise. The hymn presents forgiveness as a gift received by faith and not earned.
The final verse names "redeeming love" as the singer's lasting theme "till I die". Each stanza repeats its closing lines, which lets congregations dwell on cleansing, mercy and lifelong thanksgiving. The wording suits communal singing, and the refrain structure makes the hymn easy to learn.
Related Scripture
- Zechariah 13:1 A fountain is opened to cleanse sin and uncleanness.
- 1 John 1:7 The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin.
- Luke 23:42-43 The dying criminal asks Jesus for remembrance and receives a promise of paradise.