A special edition of our Hymns programme to mark Good Friday.
Holy Trinity Cathedral Photo: RNZ / Paul Bushnell
SONG: THERE IS A GREEN HILL FAR AWAY
Artist: Choir of Wells Cathedral, Malcolm Archer (dir), Rupert Gough (organ)
Words/Music: Cecil Frances Alexander/William Horsley
Recording: Hyperion 112104
There is a green hill far away,
outside a city wall,
where the dear Lord was crucified
who died to save us all.
We may not know, we cannot tell,
what pains he had to bear,
but we believe it was for us
he hung and suffered there.
He died that we might be forgiven,
he died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by his precious blood.
There was no other good enough
to pay the price of sin,
he only could unlock the gate
of heaven, and let us in.
Oh, dearly, dearly has he loved,
and we must love him too,
and trust in his redeeming blood,
and try his works to do.
SONG: IT IS A THING MOST WONDERFUL
Artist: Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow (dir)
Words/Music: How/Trad arr Vaughan Williams
Recording: Conifer 75605-51248
It is a thing most wonderful,
Almost too wonderful to be,
That God’s own Son should come from Heav’n,
And die to save a child like me.
And yet I know that it is true;
He chose a poor and humble lot,
And wept, and toiled, and mourned, and died,
For love of those who loved Him not.
But even could I see Him die,
I could but see a little part
Of that great love, which, like a fire,
Is always burning in His heart.
It is most wonderful to know
His love for me so free and sure;
But ’tis more wonderful to see
My love for Him so faint and poor.
And yet I want to love Thee, Lord;
Oh, light the flame within my heart,
And I will love Thee more and more,
Until I see Thee as Thou art.
SONG: GLORY BE TO JESUS
Artist: Choir of Trinity College, University of Melbourne, Michael Leighton-Jones (dir)
Words/Music: Edward Caswall/Friedrich Filitz
Recording: ABC 476568
Glory be to Jesus,
who in bitter pains
poured for me the life blood
from his sacred veins!
Grace and life eternal
in that blood I find,
blest be his compassion
infinitely kind!
Blest through endless ages
be the precious stream
which from endless torment
did the world redeem!
Abel’s blood for vengeance
Pleaded to the skies;
But the blood of Jesus
For our pardon cries.
Oft as earth exulting
Wafts its praise on high,
Angel hosts rejoicing,
Make their glad reply.
Lift ye then your voices;
swell the mighty flood;
louder still and louder
praise the precious blood.
SONG: JESUS, REMEMBER ME
Artist: St Thomas’ Music Group
Words/Music: Jacques Berthier
Recording: Alliance Music
Jesus, remember me
when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus, remember me
when you come in to your kingdom.
SONG: HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE FOR US
Artist: BBC Radio 4 Daily Service Singers
Words/Music: Stuart Townend
Recording: BBC
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glor.y
Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.
SONG: O SACRED HEAD
Artist: City of Birmingham Symphony Orch Chorus
Words/Music: attrib Arnulf of Leuven trans Alexander/Hassler arr Cruger
Recording: Conifer 500521
O sacred head, surrounded
by crown of piercing thorn!
O bleeding head, so wounded,
so shamed and put to scorn!
Our sins have marred the glory
of thy most holy face,
yet angel hosts adore Thee
and tremble as they gaze
I see thy strength and vigour
all fading in the strife,
and death with cruel rigor,
bereaving thee of life;
O agony and dying!
O love to sinners free!
Jesus, all grace supplying,
O turn thy face on me.
In this thy bitter passion,
Good shepherd, think of me
with thy most sweet compassion,
unworthy though I be:
beneath thy cross abiding
for ever would I rest,
in thy dear love confiding,
and with thy presence blest.
SONG: ALL IN THE APRIL EVENING
Artist: Braille Music Retreat Choir 2021
Words/Music: Katharine Tynan/Hugh Roberton
Recording: Private
All in the April evening,
April airs were abroad;
The sheep with their little lambs
Passed me by on the road.
The sheep with their little lambs
Passed me by on the road;
All in an April evening
I thought on the Lamb of God.
The lambs were weary, and crying
With a weak human cry;
I thought on the Lamb of God
Going meekly to die.
Up in the blue, blue mountains
Dewy pastures are sweet:
Rest for the little bodies,
Rest for the little feet.
But for the Lamb, the Lamb of God
Up on the hilltop green;
Only a cross of shame
Two stark crosses between.
All in the April evening,
April airs were abroad;
I saw the sheep with their lambs,
And thought on the Lamb of God.
SONG: WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS
Artist: Cambridge Singers, John Rutter (dir), John Scott (organ)
Words/Music: Watts/Miller arr Rutter
Recording: Collegium 880126
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
