The Book of Praise ‎#220

220. My song is love unknown

1 My song is love unknown,
my Saviour’s love to me,
love to the loveless shown,
that they might lovely be.
Oh who am I, that for my sake
my Lord should take frail flesh and die?

2 He came from his blest throne
salvation to bestow,
but we made strange,
and none the longed-for Christ would know.
But oh, my Friend, my Friend indeed,
who at my need his life did spend.

3 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.

4 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, c.1624-1683 (alt.)
• Meter: 6 6 6 6 8 8
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1997
• Scripture:
  Mark 11:1-11
  ;
  Mark 15:13-14
• Topic: Church Year: Palm / Passion Sunday; Jesus Christ: Friend; Love; Music / Singing / Song
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: LOVE UNKNOWN
• Composer: John Ireland, 1879-1962
• Meter: 6 6 6 6 8 8
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: © The John Ireland Trust