Glory to God ‎#209

209. 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.
O who am I
that for my sake
my Lord should take
frail flesh, and die?

2 He came from heaven’s throne
salvation to bestow;
the world that was his own
would not its Savior know.
But O my Friend,
my Friend indeed,
who at my need
his life did spend!

3 Sometimes we strew his way,
and his sweet praises sing,
resounding all the day
hosannas to our King.
Then "Crucify!"
is all our breath,
and for his death
we thirst and cry.

4 Unheeding, we will have
our dear Lord made away,
a murderer to save,
the prince of life to slay.
Yet steadfast he
to suffering goes,
that he his foes
from thence might free.

5 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 (1664, alt.)
• Meter: 6.6.6.6.4.4.4.4
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2013
• Scripture:
  Lamentations 1:12
  ;
  Matthew 21:9
  ;
  Luke 23:18-25
  ;
  John 3:14-21
  ;
  Acts 3:14-15
  ;
  Hebrews 5:1-10
• Topic: Christian Year: Palm Sunday; Christian Year: Maundy Thursday; Christian Year: Good Friday; Jesus Christ: Passion and Death; Lament; Love of God for Us; Salvation

Tune Information

• Name: LOVE UNKNOWN
• Composer: John Ireland (1918)
• Meter: 6.6.6.6.4.4.4.4
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: © 1924 Trustees of the John Ireland Charitable Trust
• Notes: Now Public Domain.

Text Information:

The opening line here could equally well have been a courtier’s lament for a secret affair, but it soon becomes a path into a vivid and poignant reflection on Christ’s Passion. This 17th-century text is beautifully embraced by its sensitive and lyrical 20th-century tune.