And Can it Be that I should Gain - Wesley

This is a hymn about salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

It was written by English Anglican minister, co-leader of the Methodist movement and hymn-writer, Charles Wesley (1707–1788) to celebrate his conversion, which he believed happened on 21 May 1738. The final two verses closely reflect events from St Paul's life.

The original six-verse hymn "And Can It Be?" was first published in 1739 in John Wesley's hymnal, Hymns and Sacred Poems, with the title "Free Grace". Since then it has been published in a very large number of collections and hymnals. It was the inspiration for Chris Tomlin's Amazing Love.

With meter 8.8.8.8.8.8, tunes it has been set to include:
  • SAGINA (Pearlwort) by Englishman Thomas Campbell (1777-1844) - the most commonly-used tune today.
  • SURREY, by songwriter and dramatist Henry Carey (1687-1743)
  • CRUCIFIXION, by Samuel Akeroyde (1684-1706)
  • FILLMORE (Ingalls) by Jeremiah Ingalls (1764-1838).



Downloads

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Examples

Church service led by a small group, accompanied by piano and violin:



Instrumental version - solo keyboard


Mass choir performance for a televised hymn programme in England:


Lyrics

And can it be that I should gain
An int'rest in the Saviour's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!

'Tis mystery all! The'mmortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine!
'Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father's throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race;
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th'eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th'eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

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