(Go here for lead sheets and chord charts.)
Lyrics
Lord, You left your throne and Your kingly crown
When You came to earth for me
But in Bethlehem’s home there was found no room
For Your holy nativity
Come to my heart, Lord Jesus
There is room in my heart for You
You designed my heart as a throne for You
Where Your will reigns over me
I confess that there, oft my idols reign
I am captive, make me free
Even while my heart fights against Your will
Even while I turn my face
You take pity on my helpless soul
Tender mercy, amazing grace!
We release our lives, we prepare You room
We surrender everything
We lift up our hearts in response to grace
Jesus Christ, come be our King
Words: Emily E. S. Elliott, 1864 (verse 1); Zac Hicks, 2008 (verses 2-4)
Music: Zac Hicks, 2008; James G. A. Sweeting, 2009 (string arr.)
©2009 Unbudding Fig Music (ASCAP)
Video Tutorial: How to Play “There is Room”
About
“There is Room” is track ten in our old hymns new music project. It is a hybrid of old and new hymn texts, set in a more modern, lyrical musical style. It was my church’s “theme song” during Advent, 2008. We’d chosen to use it as a song of consecration, in response to the messages from the Word we’d received. “There is Room” is a hymn of confession and need, invitation and action. It has taken the classic hymn by Emily Elliott, written in 1864, and moved it in a slightly different direction. Elliott’s original text (here only her first verse is preserved) focused more on the incarnation and work of Christ, culminating in his glorious reign at the right hand of the Father. The new verses redirect the hymn to a more introspective place. “Come to my heart, Lord Jesus,” becomes less a victorious boast and more a cry for help.