Alas, and did my Savior bleed

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1
Alas, and did my Savior bleed?
  And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
  For such a worm as I?
 
At the cross, at the cross where
  I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
  And now I am happy all the day!
2
Was it for sins that I had done
  He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
  And love beyond degree!
3
Well might the sun in darkness hide,
  And shut His glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker, died
  For man, His creature’s sin.
4
Thus might I hide my blushing face
  While His dear cross appears.
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
  And melt mine eyes to tears.
5
But drops of grief can ne’er repay
  The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
  ’Tis all that I can do.
62
Steven Miller

Detroit, Michigan, United States

"It was on November 2, 1850, that I was gloriously converted while the congregation sang the grand old consecration hymn of Isaac Watts. When they reached the 3rd line of the last verse: 'Here, Lord, I give myself away,' I surrendered myself to my Savior, and my soul was flooded with celestial light. I sprang to my feet shouting, 'Hallelujah!' I gave my heart to Him, and what a Joy I received!" - Fanny Crosby

It was not until almost 100 years after the death of Watts that an American choir leader decided to make some of the old hymns easier for children to sing. "Tampering with the hymns," the old-timers called it. Ralph E. Hudson took the words of "Alas, and did my Savior bleed?", wrote an inspiring tune, and added a chorus that might have caused the author's hair to stand on end. ... I am glad Hudson added that chorus. Indeed, it heralds my own experience. It was while kneeling at the cross that I first saw the light. There the burdens of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith I received my sight. - Hymn Stories by Wilbur Konkel


Brian Satchell

Maple Hts, Ohio, United States

The power of God is so awesome. To receive sight at the cross. Praise Him!


Selase

Accra

Awesome!

Spiritual!


Tom

United States

Thanks for making gospel hymns and Bible songs for children available. I've used some midi files you provide (of the melody) to speed up the process of arranging for guitar.


Eileen John

United States

What a wonderful find this morning while reading my Bible online.

Thank You Lord, I will be singing my praises........Love it.


Olutunde A. Adegbite

Brighton, England, United Kingdom

God bless you for this work. So inspiring! I became addicted to listening to it within a very short time. It opened my eyes again to the wonderous works Christ wrought for me on the cross at Calvary. Thank you.


David Jones

London, United Kingdom

I love this song. Isaac Watts was a great instrument of God, esecially in his hymn writing. Who could forget his hymn based on Psalm 98 "Joy to the World"? Thank You, Lord.


Max

Chicago, IL, United States

How have I been a Christian for so long and have not known this hymn? It is so beautiful, heartfelt and moving. The young people should sing this one.


Littlesparrow

London, United Kingdom

Ever Beautiful


Jorge Arango F.

Armenia, Quindio, Colombia

Praise the Lord Almighty God! I accepted my Saviour Jesus Christ by listening to this great Christian hymn when I was 17 years old. Just now I'm seventy and I'm feeling satisfied by His great mercy to me.

Stanzas 2 and 7-9 are added:

1. Alas, and did my Savior bleed?

And did my Sovereign die?

Would He devote that sacred head

For such a worm as I?

Chorus:

At the cross, at the cross,

Where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away!

It was there by faith,

I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

2. Alas! My Savior on the tree!

Hands, feet cruel nails bore,

Head crowned with thorns, pricked painfully,

And body wounded sore.

3. Was it for sins that I had done

He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

4. Well might the sun in darkness hide

And shut his glories in,

When Christ, the mighty Maker, died

For man, His creature's sin.

5. Thus might I hide my blushing face

While His dear cross appears;

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness

And melt mine eyes to tears.

6. But drops of grief can ne'er repay

The debt of love I owe;

Here, Lord, I give myself away;

'Tis all that I can do.

7. No veil from God now separates;

His death rent it in twain;

Breached also were the tombs of saints;

Death can no more detain.

8. His side was pierced, but from it stemmed

Blood, water flowing free,

To give life and from death exempt,

To cleanse iniquity.

9. At death, He "It is finished!" cried,

Redemption to proclaim;

At once my fears and worries died,

And sighing, praise became.