Christ My Song - 545
Three hours the land was wrapped in gloom - The hidden cross
(Horatius Bonar/Johannes Thomas Rüegg)
The hidden cross.
1. Three hours the land was wrapped in gloom,
three hours the city saw no sun;
three hours blank fear was in each face;
it seemed as if earth's day were done. (PDF - Midi)
2. Three hours the cross itself was hid;
while through the gloom the Sufferer's cry,
"My God, why dost thou me forsake?"
breathed out his dying agony.
3. Three hours in that mysterious cloud,
that blotted out the noonday sun,
the face of God's dear Son was hid;
only the ear could hear his groan.
4. Most wondrous hours, in which was done
the greatest deed e'er done below:
the deed in which all heaven was joined,
that saves us from the endless woe.
5. Unveil that cross to me, O Lord,
that I may see the sacrifice
there offered, and in it the way
to a recovered Paradise.
6. Light up that cross to me, O Lord,
that I its heavenly power may know;
the health, the pardon, and the joy
which from its open fountain flow.
7. Earth has no sun to light it up!
These eyes are dim, the scales remove;
straight from itself the light must come,
that shows me all its grace and love.
8. Unveil that face to me, O Lord,
once hid in darkness for my sin;
that in its light I may rejoice,
and with true boldness enter in.
9. Withdraw each cloud that hides the cross;
let nothing come between that face
and this faint heavy eye of mine,
that longs to see its heavenly grace.
Horatius Bonar, The Song of the New Creation, 1872, 53-54.