| Location in The Sacred Harp | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanza | Denson | Cooper | ||||
| 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. |
The Lovely Story 104, Stanza 1 |
The Lovely Story 104, Stanza 1 |
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| 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. |
The Lovely Story 104, Stanza 2 |
The Lovely Story 104, Stanza 2 |
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| 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 joined in a band, Confin'd him and led him away, The cords wrapt around his sweet hands, O sinners, look at him I pray. |
The Lovely Story 104, Stanza 3 |
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| 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; The smote him and did him abuse; The clothed him with crimson, in scorn, And hail'd him, the King of the Jews. |
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| 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 tortur'd his feet; O brethren, see passive he stands, To look at the sight it is great! |
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| 6 |
He cried, my Father, my God, Forsaken! thou'st left me in pain! The cross was all colour'd with blood, The temple veil 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. |
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| 7 |
He fought the hard battle, and won The 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. |
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| 8 |
How pleasant and happy the view! Enjoying such beams of delight! His beauty to christians he'll shew, 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 pacifi'd GOD. |
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