And Can It Be That I Should Gain, A Perspective

And Can It Be That I Should Gain

By Charles Wesley

1. And can it be that I should gain
   An interest in the Savior’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, shouldst die for me?
   Amazing love! How can it be,
   That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

   2. ’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal 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.

   3. 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!

   4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
   Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
   Thine eye diffused a quickening 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.

   5. Still the small inward voice I hear,
   That whispers all my sins forgiven;
   Still the atoning blood is near,
   That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
   I feel the life His wounds impart;
   I feel the Savior in my heart.
   I feel the life His wounds impart;
   I feel the Savior in my heart.

   6. 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.

And Can It Be That I Should Gain is thought to be the first or second hymn Charles Wesley wrote after his conversion, the other being Where Shall My Wondering Soul Begin. It was first published in John Wesley’s (Charles older brother) hymnal, Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739. It was quite popular, appearing in hundreds of hymnals for about 150 years, usually paired with the tune, Filmore. Early in the 20^th century it appeared less frequently. But by mid-century it once more became quite popular, now almost exclusively paired with Sigma. Which brings us to the topic for today.

The music we surround a text with, in the best circumstances, brings greater meaning and understanding. Most texts will usually settle into one or two commonly used tunes. Often these tunes will have a similar emotional affect. (More on the Doctrine of the Affections here.) During my Charles Wesley hymn project, I found five tunes used for the poem: And Can it Be That I Should Gain. There were two which had a distinctly different character than the other far more common tunes: Holy Spirit by George C Martin and Jena by: Melchoir Vulpius. Let us see how differently we will react to this wonderful text in the setting by Vulpius, here.

I know when I first came upon this setting in the 1985 Rejoice in the Lord, Reformed Church in America hymnal I was quite taken aback! I had to work to shut off my normal understanding of this text and how it would affect my playing. For this music had something completely different to say! While we usually think of the joyous Sagina when singing this hymn, Jena brings a profoundly introspective affect to the text. Sagina wants to shout from the hilltop this amazing Love, Jena wonders how such a wretched creature as I could possibly gain this amazing Love. Joy and humility are both equal and valid experiences when confronted by God’s grace and love so either garment for this text is appropriate. Maybe Jena could find a use during the Lenten season… just a thought.

Here is my list of tunes I have found so far for, And Can It Be That I Should Gain: