How Can It Be? (Christiansen)

• 24 April 2026
• 1_ folder- main 4,
• 2_ copyright- active_ text,
• 2_ copyright- public domain_ tune,
• 2_ instrumentation- four-part choir,
• 2_ language- english,
• 2_ key- g flat major or e flat minor,
• 3_ text title- how can it be_ christiansen,
• 3_ tune name- macht hoch die tuer_ lemke_ or milwaukee_ lemke,
• 4_ poetic meter- 8-8-8-8-8-8 iambic with 4-8 iambic refrain

Hymn Information

Folder: Main IV, no. 55
Tune used, name: 'Macht hoch die Tür (Lemke)' or 'Milwaukee (Lemke)'
Composer: Lemke, August (1820–1913); composed in 1849
Lyricist: Christiansen, Avis Marguerite Burgeson (1895–1985); written in 1961
Copyright (text): © 1961, Singspiration Music (ASCAP)
Source used for representative text: from fbcradio.org

Resources and Audios

Sheet music, project file and MIDI:

• Sheet music, PDF
• Sheet music, MuseScore
• SynthV Studio project file, zipped
• MIDI note data

Audio files (separate parts for Lead, Accompaniment I, Accompaniment II and Bass):

Audio file (all parts combined):

Representative Text

1
O Saviour, as my eyes behold
The wonders of Thy might untold,
The heav’ns in glorious light arrayed,
The vast creation Thou hast made—
And yet to think Thou lovest me—
My heart cries out, “How can it be?”

Refrain:
How can it be
That God should love a soul like me?

2
As at the cross I humbly bow
And gaze upon Thy thorn-crowned brow,
And view the precious bleeding form
By cruel nails so bruised and torn,
Knowing Thy suff’ring was for me,
In grief I cry, “How can it be?” [Refrain]

3
How can it be? How can it be?
Was ever grace so full and free!
From heights of bliss to depths of woe
In loving kindness Thou didst go,
From sin and shame to rescue me—
O Love Divine, How can it be? [Refrain]

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