Words
1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
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?
(4.)
His dying crimson like a robe
Spreads o’er His body on the tree,
Then am I dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.
5.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Compared to Hymnals
| |
No. |
Words |
Music |
| Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs |
230 |
Lacks optional vs 4 |
Identical |
| Songs for Worship and Praise |
557 |
Lacks optional vs 4;
Adds modern refrain |
Key of D instead of F;
Adds modern refrain |
| Songs of Faith and Praise |
315 |
Lacks optional vs 4 |
Adds descant |
| Praise for the Lord |
742 |
Changes “Christ my God” to “Christ, my Lord” in vs 2 |
Identical |
| Hymns for Worship (Revised) |
189 |
Lacks optional vs 4;
Changes “Christ my God” to “Christ, my Lord” in vs 2 |
Identical |
| Songs of the Church |
633 |
Lacks optional vs 4;
Changes “Christ my God” to “Christ, my Lord” in vs 2 |
Identical |
| Sacred Selections |
179 |
Lacks optional vs 4;
Changes “Christ my God” to “Christ my Lord” in vs 2 |
Key of G instead of F;
Notated in 2/4 instead of 2/2;
Tenor sings LA instead of LA SOL in measures 2 and 10;
Alto sings LA instead of DO in measure 16 |
| Christian Hymns No. 2 |
n/a |
|
|
| Great Songs of the Church No. 2 |
532 |
Lacks optional vs 4;
Changes “Christ my God” to “Christ my Lord” in vs 2 |
Identical |
Sources
Words
Although first published in 1707, Watts published a revised version in his 1709 second edition of Hymns and Spiritual Songs:
It is this revision which has lasted.
Music
- The Boston Handel and Haydn Society Collection of Church Music, 3rd ed. (1825)
- The Boston Academy’s Collection of Church Music, 3rd ed. (1835)
For scans of the tune in these documents, see the discussion of HAMBURG in Chris Fenner’s “When I Survey the wondrous cross” at Hymnology Archive.
References