Alas, and did my Savior bleed

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1
Alas, and did my Savior bleed?
  And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
  For such a worm as I?
 
At the cross, at the cross where
  I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
  And now I am happy all the day!
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 His glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker, died
  For man, His creature's sin.
4
Thus might I hide my blushing face
  While His dear cross appears.
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
  And melt mine eyes to tears.
5
But drops of grief can ne'er repay
  The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
  'Tis all that I can do.
58
Batabaire Noah

Kampala, Somerset, Uganda

I have loved this song for nearly 15 years now. I first learnt about in high school and now it's many years gone but I still feel the rhythm. Glory be to God Almighty 🙏


Charles Obaro Namenya

Nairobi, Kenya

When I sing this song I am full of joy, knowing what Jesus Christ did for me at the cross.

It makes me know that my relationship with Christ Jesus and God was made permanent at the Cross.


Lazarus Lebechi

Coulsdon, Surrey, United Kingdom

Wonderful, wonderful song.

"Here, Lord, I give myself away,

’Tis all that I can do."

That, indeed, is all He asks us to do.


Frank Pytel

Chicago, Illinois, United States

In the exposing light of God at the Cross, when we are unveiled to see what we are, surely, we would agree with the hymn writer, that we are just a low and dirty "worm." Yet the precious wonder is that Christ on the Cross was made a "worm" for us! David prophesied of Christ, "I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people" - Psalm 22:6. "God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be made sin on our behalf" - 2 Corinthians 5:20-21. Lord, You are so precious, we give ourselves to You!


Jeffrey Mark Kotyk

St. Louis, Missouri, United States

When I was a kid we sang this song and I recall saying to my mom, "Mom, I ain't a worm". So last night I had these words on my mind and could not remember the song which had, "for such a worm as I". I thought the song was "At the Cross" but not. Then I Googled the words "For such a worm as I" not really thinking that it would find the song and sure enough.... found the song!


Benenia Ejovi

Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom

I just woke up from a dream singing thins song but not knowing all the lines, another lady joined me in that dream to sing it. It felt so so beautiful that I had to look for the full lyrics. It is indeed a great song and I feel so blessed. Thank you Lord


Onuoha Gabriel

Abuja, FCT, Nigeria

At the cross, at the cross, when I first saw the light and the burden of my heart rolled away. Thank You Jesus.


Kerrie

Boston, MA, United States

YES! LOVE this hymn, more like a gospel song. We will be releasing a podcast episode all about Isaac Watts and Ralph Hudson. Two incredible hymn writers. Find Hymn Talk Twin Talk on any podcast app for a lighthearted, highly researched look at the old hymns! #praiseGod


Ifeoma Obiekwe

Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Alas! and Did My Saviour Bleed n died for a worm as I? What a great debt of love I owe. Here Lord I give all of myself away. That's all I can give. Thank You Jesus for d cross. I will remain indebted to You. Have Your way always in my life


Henrich Brockhaus

Bellingham, WA, United States

Indeed, V. Holland, March 26, 2022, was right in his assessment: "I suspect the ‘chorus’ was added later, and not by Dr Watts. It doesn’t blend with the richness of his wonderful poetry." Richard Miller, July 2, 2016 alludes to this, and then quotes something worthwhile and wonderful.

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Something different for the person in charge of running this website: As of late, the blue field, highlighting one stanza after another, has started to jump from 1 to 3 and then to 5. This is happening with every hymn, not just the one above. Henrich

Stanzas 2 and 7-9 are added:

1. Alas, and did my Savior bleed?

And did my Sovereign die?

Would He devote that sacred head

For such a worm as I?

Chorus:

At the cross, at the cross,

Where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away!

It was there by faith,

I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

2. Alas! My Savior on the tree!

Hands, feet cruel nails bore,

Head crowned with thorns, pricked painfully,

And body wounded sore.

3. Was it for sins that I had done

He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

4. Well might the sun in darkness hide

And shut his glories in,

When Christ, the mighty Maker, died

For man, His creature's sin.

5. Thus might I hide my blushing face

While His dear cross appears;

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness

And melt mine eyes to tears.

6. But drops of grief can ne'er repay

The debt of love I owe;

Here, Lord, I give myself away;

'Tis all that I can do.

7. No veil from God now separates;

His death rent it in twain;

Breached also were the tombs of saints;

Death can no more detain.

8. His side was pierced, but from it stemmed

Blood, water flowing free,

To give life and from death exempt,

To cleanse iniquity.

9. At death, He "It is finished!" cried,

Redemption to proclaim;

At once my fears and worries died,

And sighing, praise became.