Scripture Verse

Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23:34

Introduction

portrait
Avis M. Christiansen
1895–1985

Words: Av­is M. Chris­tian­sen, 1920. She wrote the words at the re­quest of Har­ry Loes, who had writ­ten the tune.

Music: Har­ry D. Loes (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a bet­ter pho­to of Loes,

Lyrics

Up Cal­va­ry’s moun­tain, one dread­ful morn,
Walked Christ my Sav­ior, wea­ry and worn;
Facing for sin­ners death on the cross,
That He might save them from end­less loss.

Refrain

Blessèd Re­deem­er! Pre­cious Re­deem­er!
Seems now I see Him on Cal­va­ry’s tree;
Wounded and bleed­ing, for sin­ners plead­ing,
Blind and unheed­ing—dyi­ng for me!

Fa­ther for­give them! thus did He pray,
E’en while His life­blood flowed fast away;
Praying for sin­ners while in such woe
No one but Je­sus ev­er loved so.

Refrain

O how I love Him, Sav­ior and friend,
How can my prais­es ev­er find end!
Through years un­num­bered on Hea­ven’s shore,
My tongue shall praise Him for­ev­er­more.

Refrain

illustration
Descent from the Cross
Jan S. van Hemessen
1500–1556