Christ My Song - 1122
"Jesus" was written broadly on the cross - The Writing on the Cross (Hannah K. Burlingham/Johannes Thomas Rüegg)
The Writing on the Cross.
"Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee,
that it might be displayed because of the truth." (Psalm 60,4)
1. "Jesus" was written broadly on the cross,
the proof of glory on the sign of shame;
disclosing in the Saviour's deepest loss,
the deathless lustre of his holy name.
"Jesus" – what volumes centre in that word!
Earth trembles: every heart in heaven is stirred. PDF - Midi
2. "They watched him there" – what went ye forth to see,
ye who reviled the lowly Nazarene?
Yea, purposed in his garb arrayed to be,
when he on earth no longer should be seen.
O wolves! O bulls of Bashan! dogs! – all dumb!
Say, will ye mock the King when he shall come?
3. The priests and presbyters beguiled the crowd
to claim Barabbas – Jesus to destroy;
and, 'mid the uproar, savage voices loud
demanded murder with tumultuous joy.
"What hath he done?" the nation's leader cried;
they dared to say, "Let him be crucified!"
4. O day of days! the Lamb of God is slain;
O sight of sights! He bows his smitten head.
O woe of woes! His agony of pain;
O marvel, he "the Life" among the dead!
O love untold, in Jesus' name made known:
O Fullness, found in Jesus Christ alone!
5. Behold, ye saints, your banner! written o'er
with that same word engraven on the cross.
The Lord is risen, he lives for evermore;
'tis yours awhile to share his earthly loss.
Display those crimson folds, that fair device,
the Cross, the Crown, the name of Jesus Christ!
Hannah K. Burlingham, Wayside Songs, 1901, 146-148.