Looking for the complete Rock of Ages Cleft for Me tonic solfa? You’re in the right place. Many singers, pianists, and choir directors struggle to find an accurate solfa version online. This post gives you the full tonic solfa notation, the complete lyrics, and helpful tips to make learning and performing the hymn easier and more enjoyable. In this guide, you’ll find the full lyrics, a clear tonic solfa notation system to learn the tune by ear, a PDF download for easy printing, and FAQs to address any questions you may have.
Rock of Ages cleft for me hymn
“Rock of Ages cleft for me hymn” has served as a source of comfort for generations, inviting singers to “hide” in God’s strength amid life’s storms . Written by English clergyman Augustus Montague Toplady (1740–1778), the hymn reflects both his theological conviction and poetic gift . Thomas Hastings later matched it with a memorable melody, ensuring its place in hymnals worldwide .
History of Rock of Ages cleft for me hymn
Augustus Montague Toplady, a Reformed Anglican minister, first published the opening lines of “Rock of Ages” in The Gospel Magazine in October 1775, with the complete hymn appearing in March 1776 . Inspired—perhaps—from earlier devotional writings rather than the famous Burrington Combe legend, Toplady’s text went on to appear in numerous hymn collections under various editorial revisions . By 1830, Thomas Hastings had paired the lyrics with the tune “Toplady,” cementing the hymn’s singular form in American and British traditions alike .
Rock of Ages Cleft for me Lyrics
VERSE 1
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
VERSE 2
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
VERSE 3
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
VERSE 4
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Rock of Ages Cleft for me Hymn Bible Verse
- Exodus 33:21–23 (NIV)
21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.
22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
Rock of Ages Cleft for me Tonic Solfa Notation
Below is the complete tonic solfa of Rock of Ages cleft for me.
Line 1
Rock of a – ges cleft for me
s l s m dI l s
Line 2
Let me hide my – self in thee
d r m r d tI d
tI stands for lower octave “t“.
Line 3
Let the wa – ter and the blood
tI d r r tI sI d
tI stands for lower octave “t“.
Line 4
From thy woun – ded side which flowed
tI d r r tI sI d
tI stands for lower octave “t“.
sI stands for lower octave “s“.
Line 5
Be of sin the dou – ble cure
s l s m dI l s
dI stands for higher octave “d“
Line 6
Save from wrath and make me pure
d r m r d tI d
tI stands for higher octave “t“
Downloadable PDF
Want a printable Rock of Ages Cleft for me tonic Solfa sheet ? Click below to download it and practice anytime:
Download Rock of Ages Cleft for me tonic Solfa PDF
Check out these lessons to take your musical journey to the next level.
- Trust and Obey Tonic Solfa
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness Tonic Solfa
- Holy Holy Holy Tonic Solfa
- Practical Way to Master Tonic Solfa for Beginners
- How to Find the Tonic Solfa of Any Song
- 10 Ear Training Techniques For Musicians
Rock of Ages Tonic Solfa – FAQ
Q1: What is tonic solfa?
Tonic solfa is a way of reading and writing music using syllables like do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti. It helps singers learn melodies without needing to read standard music notation.
Q2: Why learn “Rock of Ages” using tonic solfa?
It’s a simple and effective method for choirs, students, and beginners to sing accurately. This hymn has a steady, memorable melody that’s great for practice.
Q3: Is the tonic solfa different from the regular lyrics?
Yes. The lyrics are the words you sing, while tonic solfa shows the musical notes (like: d r m f s). Both work together to help you sing in tune.
Q4: Can I use this for choir practice?
Absolutely! Tonic solfa is perfect for choir warm-ups and part-learning—especially when teaching soprano, alto, tenor, and bass lines.
Q5: Do I need to know music theory to use tonic solfa?
Nope! That’s the beauty of it. Tonic solfa is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require you to read staff notation.
Q6: What key is “Rock of Ages” usually sung in?
Many versions are in F or G major, but the tonic solfa can be adjusted to any key depending on the vocal range of your group.
Q7: Can I teach this hymn with just the solfa?
Yes! You can teach and learn it using tonic solfa alone. Once the melody is familiar, you can add the lyrics for full expression.
Final Thought
Having the full tonic solfa and lyrics makes learning Rock of Ages simple and enjoyable. Practice, share, and let the music inspire your worship every day.
