The Southern harmony, and musical companion containing a choice collection of tunes, hymns, psalms, odes, and anthems |
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[A story most lovely I'll tell] |
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 | The Southern harmony, and musical companion |  |
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[A story most lovely I'll tell]
[1.]
A story most lovely I'll tell,Of Jesus (O wond'rous surprise!)
He suffer'd the torments of hell,
That sinners, vile sinners might rise:
He left his exalted abode,
When man by transgression was lost;
Appeasing the wrath of a God,
He shed forth his blood as the cost.
2.
O, did my dear Jesus thus bleed,And pity a ruin'd lost race!
O, whence did such mercy proceed,
Such boundless compassion and grace!
His body bore anguish and pain,
His spirit 'most sunk with the load;
A short time before he was slain.
His sweat was as great drops of blood
3.
O, was it for crimes I had done,The Saviour was hail'd with a kiss!
By Judas the traitor alone;
Was ever compassion like this?
The ruffians all join'd in a band,
Confined him and led him away,
The cords wrapt around his sweet hands,
O sinners! look at him, I pray.
4.
To Pilate's stone pillar when led,His body was lashed with whips:
It never by any was said,
A railing word dropt from his lips:
They made him a crown out of thorns;
They smote him and did him abuse;
They clothed him with crimson, in scorn,
And hail'd him, the King of the Jews.
5.
They loaded the Lamb with the cross,And drove him up Calvary's hill;
Come, mourners, a moment, and pause,
All nature look'd solemn and still!
They rushed the nails through his hands,
Transfixed and tortured his feet;
O brethren, see passive he stands;
To look at the sight it is great!
6.
He cried, My Father, my God,Forsaken! thou'st left me in pain!
The cross was all colour'd with blood,
The temple-vail bursted in twain:
He groaned his last and he died,
The sun it refused to shine;
They rushed the spear in his side;
This lovely Redeemer is mine.
7.
He fought the hard battle, and wonThe vict'ry, and gives it most free:
O Christians! look forward and run,
In hopes that his kingdom you'll see;
When he in the clouds shall appear,
With angels all at his command,
And thousands of Christians be there,
All singing with harps in a band.
8.
How pleasant and happy the view!Enjoying such beams of delight!
His beauty to Christians he'll show,
O Jesus, I long for the sight!
I long to mount up in the skies,
In Paradise make my abode,
And sing of salvation on high,
And rest with a pacified God.
| The Southern harmony, and musical companion | |