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"My Song Is Love Unknown"
Samuel Crossman. Notice the incredible poetic twists that the author uses in describing the Incarnation, Christ's suffering, the shouts of the crowd, and the "home" of Christ. [Seven verses--try not to get discouraged by the archaic language.] MY SONG IS LOVE UNKNOWN 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? He came from His blest throne, Salvation to bestow; But men made strange, and none The longed-for Christ would know. But O, my Friend, My Friend indeed, Who at my need His life did spend! Sometimes they strew His way, And His sweet praises sing; Resounding all the day Hosannas to their King. Then: "CRUCIFY!" Is all their breath, And for His death they thirst and cry. Why, what hath my Lord done? What makes this rage and spite? He made the lame to run, He gave the blind their sight. Sweet injuries! Yet they at these Themselves displease and 'gainst Him rise. They rise, and needs will have My dear Lord made away; A murderer they save, The Prince of Life they slay. Yet cheerful He To suff'ring goes, That He His foes from thence might free. In life, no house, no home My Lord on earth might have; In death no friendly tomb But what a stranger gave. What may I say? Heav'n was His home; But mine the tomb wherein he lay. 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. -Samuel Crossman (c1624-1683) Have a great week. May it be one where Christ's love is very real to you. Chip Stam |