Putting "And Can It Be" into Contemporary Words

[[Admin] danroth]

For at least a decade, this has been something I've wanted to do, but I've always backed away, struggling with adequately putting it into more contemporary words. Sometimes because of fear of losing the majesty of the song, often because I can't find words which adequately communicate what's being said. However, I'm ready to tackle it as a group project.

Goals. As much as is possible,
1) retain the original meaning
2) retain the musicality & poetry
3) use contemporary word choices and grammar

Here's the whole song. I'll give you some of my first thoughts in follow up posts....

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?

’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.

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 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.

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.

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.

[[Admin] danroth]

ORIGINAL:

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?

MY VERSION:
How can it be, that I can gain

I thought of both "How can it be" and "can it be true". I think they both do a good job of expressing Wesley's amazement at the atonement.

an interest in the Savior's blood?

I'm struggling here. This sounds so far from contemporary English for me, yet the whole idea of having "an interest" - like an investment share - in Jesus's blood is so strong. However, I want that thought accessible to folks who wouldn't catch it from these words and phrasing. Thoughts?

That he died for me, who caused His pain -
For me, who pushed him to his death?

I'm not sure that "pushed" is the best word. But I think "pursued" here is trying to convey that it was our unrelenting sin which sent him to the cross. Any other suggestions for how to phrase this?

Amazing love! How can it be,
That you, my God, would die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That you, my God, would die for me?

These lines are pretty straight-forward, although I'm open to suggestions for improvement.

[[Admin] danroth]

and I fall deeper and deeper into the hole...

[[Admin] osborn4]

Originally Posted by danroth

That he died for me, who caused His pain -
For me, who pushed him to his death?

I'm not sure that "pushed" is the best word. But I think "pursued" here is trying to convey that it was our unrelenting sin which sent him to the cross. Any other suggestions for how to phrase this?

How about drove?

If you have a chance to listen too "The Essential Word on the Street" by Rob Lacey, it may provide some inspiration. The story of the Bible in one hour, with British slang (at least to my very American ear).

[dmot]

Originally Posted by danroth

For me, who pushed him to his death?

I'm not sure that "pushed" is the best word. But I think "pursued" here is trying to convey that it was our unrelenting sin which sent him to the cross. Any other suggestions for how to phrase this?

And here I thought it meant that: He pursued me - even to the cross (death).

[[Admin] danroth]

Originally Posted by dmot

And here I thought it meant that: He pursued me - even to the cross (death).

It says "me, who Him to death pursued" - which I took as I pursued him until he died. However, I see what you're saying. (which makes more sense, but is not what the words seem to mean at first glance - which may be a problem of both poetry and language change)

[[Admin] danroth]

Joel - I have the printed version of The Word on the Street.

[sempei13]

How can it be, that I can gain
a reward from my Hero's death?
He died for me, who caused His pain -
For me, who pushed him to his death?

Amazing love, how can it be
that You, my God, would die for me?
Amazing love, how can it be
that You, my God, would die for me?



This is fun. Let's keep it up.

Paul

[sempei13]

Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?

It's a mystery that an immortal dies:
Who can understand God's strange design?

In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.

Not even an angel himself can try
to sing how deep is this love divine

’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

It's God's mercy, we adore
And angel minds can explain no more.

[sempei13]

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—

He left His Father's throne above
So free and infinite, His grace.

Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:

Left His rights, but not His love
and died for the poor human race.

’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

It's God mercy that huge and free,
For my dear God, it rescued me! (or "found out" might still work).

[dmot]

How can it be, that I should receive
A share in Jesus’ saving blood
He died for me, though I caused Him pain,
He gave, His life, pursuing me
Amazing love! How can it be.
That You, my Lord, would die for me.
Amazing love! How can it be.
That You, my Lord, would die for me.

No man can know His matchless design
How can it be, that God could die
The highest beings, the greatest minds
Still fail to understand His love so high
A show of mercy, an undeserved gift
Beyond the limits of the greatest minds
A show of mercy, an undeserved gift
Beyond the limits of the greatest minds

[dmot]

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!

I think the first 3 lines are fine as they are. The third line sounds strange but it is packed with so much nuanced theology I'm not sure how you can rewrite it.

For the rest of it - maybe "His mercy all" instead of 'Tis. And maybe "it reached even me" for "it found out me."