1. A story most lovely I'll tell, Of Jesus (O wondrous surprise!) He suffered 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 ruined 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 Savior was hailed with a kiss! By Judas the traitor alone; Was ever compassion like this? The ruffians all joined in a band, Confined him and led him away, The cords wrapped around his sweet hands, O sinner! 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 dropped 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 hailed 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 looked 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 colored 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 won The victory, 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 an 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. | |