In Christ Alone - Getty / Townsend

This is a contemporary-style song about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.   Alternative titles include "In Christ Alone My Hope Is Found" and "In Christ Alone I Stand".

The woods were written by English songwriter Stuart Townsend (b 1963), and set to an unnamed tune by Northern Irish contemporary Christian music songwriter Keith Getty (b 1974).  It was released on an album in 2001, and published in 2002 by Kingsways Thank You Music.  It is now included in many hymnals.

The song has been covered by many different artists, and has crossed denominational boundaries and is sung in churches worldwide as a hymn - and has triggered theological discussion in some places (ref). It has also been translated into various languages.

The tune has a 3/4 time signature. In the key of D, the first few notes are D EG G  D E G A with accompanying chords D / G / C / D.   Some commentators regard it as a "Celtic" tune.

Downloads

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Choral arrangement (SATB) by Lloyd Larson

Downloadable lead sheet for Piano/Vocal/Chords

Examples

Composer and wife in at a concert / praise meeting:

Quartet - unaccompanied:

Lead singer with band - bagpipe introduction:

Massed choir with orchestra:

Contemporary band, piano led - professional recording:

Virtual choir with piano and band:

Acapella version:

Instrumental - piano:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on the composer's website. A rough outline is:

1 In Christ alone my hope is found; ....
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

2 In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
... Here in the death of Christ I live.

3 There in the ground His body lay,
... Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

4 No guilt in life, no fear in death—
... Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.

See also

• Hymns about Jesus Christ
• Contemporary Christian music style hymns

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
1 In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song; This cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My comforter, my all in all— Here in the love of Christ I stand. 2 In Christ alone, Who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe! This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save. Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied; For ev’ry sin on Him was laid— Here in the death of Christ I live. 3 There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain; Then bursting forth in glorious day, Up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory, Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me; For I am His and He is mine— Bought with the precious blood of Christ. 4 No guilt in life, no fear in death— This is the pow’r of Christ in me; From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand; Till He returns or calls me home— Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.