I SAW ONE HANGING ON A TREE

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

John Newton (1725-1807)

Words: John New­ton, Ol­ney Hymns (Lon­don: W. Ol­iv­er, 1779).

Music: Ed­win O. Ex­cell, 1917 (MI­DI, score).


Edwin O. Excell (1851-1921)


The Crucifixion, by Thomas Eakins (1844-1916)

I saw One hanging on a tree,
In agony and blood,
Who fixed His languid eyes on me,
As near His cross I stood.

Refrain

O, can it be, upon a tree,
The Savior died for me?
My soul is thrilled, my heart is filled,
To think He died for me!

Sure, never to my latest breath,
Can I forget that look;
It seemed to charge me with His death,
Though not a word He spoke.

Refrain

My conscience felt and owned the guilt,
And plunged me in despair,
I saw my sins His blood had spilt,
And helped to nail Him there.

Refrain

A second look He gave, which said,
“I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid;
I die that thou mayst live.”

Refrain