Page 10 - The Wondrous Cross - CD Booklet

5. When I survey the Wondrous Cross
Our second Easter hymn is by Isaac Watts (1674–1748). Watts was an English
Christian Minister, hymn writer and theologian. He wrote over 750 hymns and
many are still sung in churches today. His hymns were the first to include poetry
not strictly linked to the bible such as in the Psalms. He was also key to seeing the
Psalms, which were Old Testament songs, in the light of Salvation History with
the coming of Christ. Many of his hymns bear this enlightened theology such as
‘Jesus shall reign where’er the Sun’ based on Psalm 72. The hymn ‘When I survey’
is one of Watt’s most famous hymns. It has a very personal side as we are asked to
gaze on the cross and humble ourselves before the Lord of life and death.
It is often sung to ‘Rockingham’ but has been popularised recently by being sung
to the English Folk song ‘O Waly Waly’. My version a cappella tries to capture
the reflective nature of the hymn and hence is pitched in a minor key resolving
to major at the end as we reach the climax – ‘love so amazing, so divine demands
my soul, my life, my all’.
When I survey the wondrous cross See from His head, His hands, His feet,
On which the Prince of glory died, Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
My richest gain I count but loss, Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
And pour contempt on all my pride. Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Were the whole realm of nature mine,
Save in the cross of Christ my God! That were a present far too small;
All the vain things that charm me most, Love so amazing, so divine,
I sacrifice them to His blood. Demands my soul, my life, my all

Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748),
Music: © Peter Burton 2017.