Joyful Is the Dark

Key of 'D' (Consider 'Eb' version if using transposing instruments)

Music by Ron Klusmeier
Words by Brian Wren
Tune Name: OYEN

Lyrics as Poetry

Joyful is the dark,
holy, hidden God,
rolling cloud of night beyond all naming:
Majesty in darkness,
Energy of love,
Word-in-Flesh, the mystery proclaiming.Joyful is the dark,
Spirit of the deep,
winging wildly o’er the world’s creation,
silken sheen of midnight,
plumage black and bright,
swooping with the beauty of a raven.Joyful is the dark,
shadowed stable floor;
angels flicker, God on earth confessing,
as with exultation
Mary, giving birth,
hails the infant cry of need and blessing.Joyful is the dark,
coolness of the tomb,
waiting for the wonder of the morning;
never was that midnight
touched by dread and gloom:
darkness was the cradle of the dawning.Joyful is the dark,
depth of love divine,
roaring, looming thundercloud of glory,
holy, haunting beauty,
living, loving God.
Hallelujah! Sing and tell the story!


Words by
Brian WrenCopyright © 1989 by Hope Publishing Company
(Carol Stream, Illinois) for USA,
Canada, Australia and New Zealand.Copyright © 1989 by Stainer & Bell Limited
(London, England) for all other territories

Comments About Song

Author Brian Wren,
from his book
PIECE TOGETHER PRAISE
(page 44):

“[Written in] February 1986 [and] prompted by ‘BRING MANY NAMES’, whose [line] ‘joyful darkness far beyond our seeing’ suggested the first line. Main sources were ‘THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT IN THE IMAGERY OF GOD’ (Tony Brown: unpublished) and ‘DARKNESS’ (Phillip Seddon, Grove Books, Bramcote, England, 1983.”


Piece Together Praise
(A Theological Journey)
is co-published by:Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, IL USA
(for USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand)Stainer & Bell, Limited
London, England
(for all other countries)

                                                    Audio Sample

"JOYFUL IS THE DARK"
(Key of D)
One verse with final ending
played on piano

Scripture References

  • Genesis 1:2
  • Exodus 20:18-21
  • 1 Kings 8:10-13
  • 1 Chronicles 16:7-36
  • Psalm 18:8-12

Season, Theme
or Subject

  • Angel, Angels
  • Creation∶ gift of
  • Darkness
  • Easter Vigil
  • God∶ nature of
  • Joy
  • Mary (mother of Jesus)
  • Mystery

Presentation Suggestions

Not yet available for this title. Contact us if you are a subscriber (or purchaser of this title) and need this item.

Projection Images

This feature is only accessible to Subscribers or those who have purchased this Single Title.


Use the link below for instructions on how to use the Projection Images in Powerpoint and Keynote.

Learn more

Projection Images
Available for This Title


16:9 Words Only
16:9 Words With Music
16:9 Words With Images
4:3 Words Only
4:3 Words With Music
4:3 Words With Images

Accompaniment Recordings

• The Intro is one complete verse.
• There is no ritard before the Verse 1 entry, so be ready!
• There is a tag ending after the last verse as indicated in the print music.
• There is no ritard for the vocal parts at the end, so please keep it crisp right to the end.


This feature is only accessible to Subscribers or those who have purchased this Single Title.

  • Subscribe To All Titles

    unlimited annual access to everything on this site

  • Purchase This Title

    unlimited access to all versions of this title

  • unlimited access to an individual version of this title

Purchasers and Subscribers
Click links below to download your versions.

Versions Available for This Title

Contact us if you need a version you don’t see here.

Melody Line Versions (includes transposing instruments)


  • Melody Line: 'C' Instrument or Vocal
  • Melody Line: 'C' Instrument 8va
  • Melody Line: Bass Clef 'C' Instrument
  • Melody Line: Alto Clef Instrument
  • Melody Line: ‘Bb’ Instrument
  • Melody Line: ‘Eb’ Instrument
  • Melody Line: ‘F’ Instrument (high)
  • Melody Line: ‘F’ Instrument (low)

Hymn-style Vocal Harmonizations (accompany with any piano versions)


  • Hymn-style: SATB voices
  • Hymn-style: SAB voices

Piano Versions


  • Piano: Hymn-style

Guitar Chords & Bass Progressions


  • Guitar & Bass: Full chords in keyboard key
  • Guitar: Transposed capo chords
  • Easy Guitar: Basic chords