When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

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The hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, was written by Isaac Watts, and published in Hymns and Spiritual Songs in 1707. It is significant for being an innovative departure from the early English hymn style of only using paraphrased bibical texts.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross forms the musical setting for the culmination of a passion play told in dance choreographed by Walter Nicks, an American modern dancer. Charles Wesley once wrote that he would give up all his hymns to have written this.

The hymn, sung to 'Rockingham', has been used for many years by the BBC to introduce its 7am broadcast on Good Friday.

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.

Musical settings

• Hamburg, Lowell Mason, 1824
• Eucharist, Isaac B Woodbury
• Rockingham (Miller), arr. Edward Miller, 1790
• Morte Christe, Emrys Jones
• O Waly, Waly, a folk tune

External link with music http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/h/e/whenisur.htm