Alas, and did my savior bleed and did my sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred Head for such a worm as I?
At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light
And the burden of my heart rolled away, rolled away
It was there by faith, I received my sight
And now I am happy all the day
Was it for crimes that I have done, He crawled up on the tree?
Amazing pity, grace unknown and love beyond degree
At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light
And the burden of my heart rolled away, rolled away
It was there by faith, I received my sight
And now, and now, and now I am happy all the day
All the day
About This Song
"At The Cross" by Gaither Vocal Band is a deeply introspective hymn that grapples with the profound theological paradox of divine sacrifice for human unworthiness. The song draws from Isaac Watts' 18th-century hymn "Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed," exploring the bewildering concept that Christ would suffer for someone the narrator describes as "such a worm as I"-a stark acknowledgment of human sinfulness and insignificance. The lyrics move from initial shock and disbelief ("Alas and did my Savior bleed") to personal transformation and joy, chronicling a spiritual awakening that occurs specifically "at the cross." The Gaither Vocal Band's signature Southern Gospel style brings rich four-part harmonies and emotional authenticity to this classic text, with their warm, conversational delivery making ancient theological concepts feel immediate and personal. The song's power lies in its honest portrayal of the Christian conversion experience-not as a sanitized moment of peace, but as a profound encounter with "amazing pity, grace unknown, and love beyond degree" that fundamentally alters one's perspective on suffering, worth, and redemption. The repeated phrase "rolled away" captures the visceral sense of burden being lifted, while the progression from darkness to light mirrors the classic evangelical narrative of salvation. This rendition resonated with listeners because it maintains the hymn's theological depth while presenting it through the Gaithers' accessible, emotionally rich musical lens that has defined contemporary Southern Gospel.
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