As near to Calvary I pass

1 As near to Calvary I pass'd,
Methought I saw an extended cross,
Where a poor victim hangs;
His flesh with rugged iron tore,
His limbs all stain'd with purple gore,
Gasping in dying pangs.

2 Wond'ring the spectacle to see,
Who can this bleeding victim be,
In such exquisite pain?
Why thus consign'd to woes, I cry'd?
’Tis I, the bleeding Lamb reply'd,
To save a world from sin.

3 How can it be? my soul replies,
Jesus for mortal rebels dies,
What!Jesus die for me?
Yes, saith th'expiring Son of God,
I give my life, I spill my blood,
For thee, poor soul for thee.

4 Lord, if thy life thou’st freely given
To bring my wretched soul to heaven,
And bless me with thy charms;
Then at thy feet, O God, I fall,
I give my life, my soul, my all;
O take me in thy arms.

5 All other lover's I'll adieu,
My dying lover I'll pursue,
And bless the slaughter'd Lamb:
My life, my breath, my strength, my days,
I will devote to spread thy praise,
And celebrate thy name.

6 And when my days on earth shall cease,
I'll leave these mortal climes in peace,
And stretch to realms above,
I'll join in praise immortal strains,
There where my heavenly lover reigns,
And feast upon his love.

Source: A Collection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs: from various authors #LX

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #8249