mgpcpastor's blog

This morning, in a little bit of a departure, we sang ‘Alas And Did My Saviour Bleed’ by Isaac Watts at mgpc.
I first encountered the hymn in the Australian Presbyterian Rejoice! hymnbook, which features a version of Watts’ words which is accompanied by a refrain and tune arrangement by Ralph Hudson. You can hear the tune and see the words at hymnsite.
The jaunty nature of the Hudson’s arrangement and chorus mask the more contemplative and reflective sentiments of Watts’ lyrics.
Our little departure was that, encouraged by reading Robert Cottrill’s Wordwise Hymns blog, we dispensed with the chorus and used the tune ‘Martyrdom’.
The hymnbook ‘The Hymnal’ among others features this arrangement.

The lyrics:
1.
Alas! And did my Savior bleed,
And did my sovereign die?
Would he devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?
2.
Was it for sins that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity, grace unknown,
And love beyond degree!
3.
Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut its glories in
When God, the mighty maker, died
For his own creature’s sin.
4.
Thus might I hide my blushing face
While his dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.
5.
But tears of grief cannot repay
The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away:
It’s all that I can do.

Here’s a real treat, thanks to a little extra searching on YouTube I’ve found a rendition by Nathan Clarke George. It clearly demonstrates the great contrast between Hudson’s version and Watt’s original.
I also think I’ll have to buy something by Nathan Clark George. He’s good. Very good.