This anthem is a personal favorite of the arranger and has been described as “powerful, dramatic, haunting, and compelling”. Discussing the events surrounding the Lord’s death, the solemn and legato nature of the piece conveys the deep emotional aspects of Samuel Wesley’s powerful text. The piece does not end in tragedy, as the glory and triumph of the Lord is projected in the bold finale of the piece.
Available in both SATB and TTBB voicings.
(The demo recording included here is the TTBB version, performed by the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma.)
Behold the Savior of mankind
Nailed to the shameful tree!
How vast the love that Him inclined
To bleed and die for thee!
The sun grows dark while nature shakes,
And earth's strong pillars bend!
The temple's veil in sunder breaks;
The solid marbles rend.
'Tis done! the precious ransom's paid!
"Receive my soul!" He cries;
In sorrow deep but unafraid
He bows His head and dies!
But soon He'll break death's envious chain,
And in full glory shine;
O Lamb of God, was ever pain,
Was ever love, like Thine?