When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

• 28 February 2026
• 1_ folder- main 4,
• 2_ copyright- public domain_ text,
• 2_ copyright- public domain_ tune,
• 2_ instrumentation- four-part choir,
• 2_ language- english,
• 2_ key- e major or c sharp minor,
• 3_ text title- when i survey the wondrous cross,
• 3_ tune name- hamburg,
• 4_ poetic meter- long meter but stressed every line_s first syllable

Hymn Information

Folder: Main IV, no. 23
Tune used, name: 'Hamburg'
Composer: Mason, Lowell (1792–1872); composed in 1824, based on a plainchant
Lyricist: Watts, Isaac (1674–1748); written in 1707
Source used for representative text: from hymnary.org, Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #384

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
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

3
See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

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