THE CROSS OF CHRIST Words in Southern Harmony, 1835. Tune: ALABAMA, Sacred Harp, p. 196; and CROSS OF CHRIST, p. 123. MIDI: http://biblestudies.churches.net/CCEL/S/SOUTHERN/MIDI/ALABAMA.MID The cross of Christ inspires my heart, To sing redeeming grace; Awake, my soul, and bear a part In my Redeemer's praise. Oh, how can be compared to him Who died upon the tree? This is my dear delightful theme, That Jesus died for me. When at the table of the Lord We humbly take our place, The death of Jesus we record, With love and thankfulness. These emblems bring my Lord to view, Upon the bloody tree, My soul believes and feels it's true, That Jesus died for me. His body broken, nailed, and torn, And stained with streams of blood, His spotless soul was left forlorn, Forsaken of his God. 'Twas then his Father gave the stroke That justice did decree; All nature felt the dreadful stroke, When Jesus died for me. Eli lama sabachthani, My God, my God, he cried, Why hast thou thus forsaken me! And thus my Savior died. But why did God forsake his Son, When bleeding on the tree? He died for sins, but not his own, For Jesus died for me. My guilt was on my Surety laid And therefore he must die; His soul a sacrifice was made For such a worm as I Was ever love so great as this? Was ever grace so free? This is my glory, joy and bliss, That Jesus died for me. He took his meritorious blood, And rose above the skies, And in the presence of his God, Presents his sacrifice. His intercession must prevail With such a glorious plea My cause cause can never, never fail, For Jesus died for me. Angels in shining order sit Around my Savior's throne; They bow with reverence at his feet And make his glories known. Those happy spirits sing his praise To all eternity; But I can sing redeeming grace For Jesus died for me. O! had I but an angel's voice To bear my heart along, My flowing numbers soon would raise To an immortal song. I'd charm their harps and golden lyres In sweetest harmony, And tell to all the heavenly choirs That Jesus died for me.