Christian Worship (1993) ‎#110

110. My Song Is Love Unknown

1 My song is love unknown,
My Savior's love to me,
Love to the loveless shown
That they might lovely be.
Oh, who am I
That for my sake
My Lord should take
Frail flesh and die?

2 He came from his blest throne
Salvation to bestow,
But such disdain! So few
The longed-for Christ would know!
But oh, my friend,
My friend indeed,
Who at my need
His life did spend!

3 Sometimes they strew his way
And his sweet praises sing,
Resounding all the day
Hosannas to their King.
Then "Crucify!"
Is all their breath,
And for his death
They thirst and cry.

4 Why? What has my Lord done?
What makes this rage and spite?
He made the lame to run;
He gave the blind their sight.
Sweet injuries!
Yet they at these
Themselves displease
And 'gainst him rise.

5 They rise and needs will have
My dear Lord made away.
A murderer they save;
The Prince of life they slay.
Yet cheerful he
To suff'ring goes
That he his foes
From death might free.

6 In life no house, no home
My Lord on earth might have;
In death no friendly tomb
But what a stranger gave.
What may I say?
Heav'n was his home
But mine the tomb
Wherein he lay.

7 Here might I stay and sing;
No story so divine,
Never was love, dear King,
Never was grief like thine.
This is my friend,
In whose sweet praise
I all my days
Could gladly spend!

Text Information

• First Line: My song is love unknown
• Title: My Song Is Love Unknown
• Author: Samuel Crossman, c. 1624-83 (alt.)
• Meter: 66 66 4444
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1993
• Topic: Lent

Tune Information

• Name: LOVE UNKNOWN
• Composer: John N. Ireland, 1879-1962
• Meter: 66 66 4444
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: Tune and Setting: © John Ireland Trust