When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

This is a hymn about on the Cross, which is suitable for Lent and especially for Good Friday - but can be sung year-round.

The words were was written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was first published in Hymns and Spiritual Songs in 1707.

With meter LM (long meter, 8.8.8.8) the tunes it has been set to include.

HAMBURG by Lowell Mason (1824;)
EUCHARIST by Isaac B. Woodbury (1819-1858)
ROCKINGHAM by Edward Miller (1790) - widely used in the UK
O WALY WALY - traditional English.

Many recent publications leave out the fourth verse, viz "His dying crimson, like a robe ..."

Downloads

Lead sheet - ROCKINGHAM
(melody + guitar chords)

PowerPoint
slides

ABC notation

Downloadable SATB choir arrangement by John Rutter

Downloadable piano and guitar arrangement

Examples

Boys choir with organ accompaniment - ROCKINGHAM

Congregation with piano accompaniment - ROCKINGHAM

Choir, unaccompanied. ROCHINGHAM. Professional recording

Singer with band - tune TBA

Instrumental - guitar (with close-up of fingering) - ROCKINGHAM

Contemporary backing - O WALY WALY

Instrumental - guitar - HAMBURG

Singer with piano, tune ROCKINGHAM

Lyrics

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.