What Have I Given?

Representative Text

1 Thy life was given for me,
thy blood, O Lord, was shed,
that I might ransomed be,
and quickened from the dead;
thy life was given for me;
what have I given for thee?

2 Long years were spent for me
in weariness and woe,
that through eternity
thy glory I might know;
long years were spent for me;
have I spent one for thee?

3 Thy Father's home of light,
thy rainbow-circled throne,
were left for earthly night,
for wanderings sad and lone;
yea, all was left me;
have I left aught for thee?

4 Thou, Lord, hast borne for me
more than my tongue can tell
of bitterest agony,
to rescue me from hell;
thou sufferedst all for me;
what have I borne for thee?

5 And thou hast brought to me
down from thy home above
salvation full and free,
thy pardon and thy love;
great gifts thou broughtest me;
what have I brought to thee?

6 O let my life be given
my years for thee be spent;
world-fetters all be riven,
and joy with suff'ring blent:
thou gavest thyself for me,
I give myself to thee.

Source: CPWI Hymnal #146

Author: Frances Ridley Havergal

Havergal, Frances Ridley, daughter of the Rev. W. H. Havergal, was born at Astley, Worcestershire, Dec. 14, 1836. Five years later her father removed to the Rectory of St. Nicholas, Worcester. In August, 1850, she entered Mrs. Teed's school, whose influence over her was most beneficial. In the following year she says, "I committed my soul to the Saviour, and earth and heaven seemed brighter from that moment." A short sojourn in Germany followed, and on her return she was confirmed in Worcester Cathedral, July 17, 1853. In 1860 she left Worcester on her father resigning the Rectory of St. Nicholas, and resided at different periods in Leamington, and at Caswall Bay, Swansea, broken by visits to Switzerland, Scotland, and North Wales. She died… Go to person page >

Notes

This is a recasting (with a stanza, #2, added) of "I gave my life for thee.

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 6 of 6)

Ambassador Hymnal #454

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Chalice Hymnal #345

Church Hymnal, Mennonite #408

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CPWI Hymnal #146

Hymns of the Christian Life #222

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Trinity Hymnal (Rev. ed.) #639

Include 141 pre-1979 instances
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