(6 bar intro)
Dark was the night, cold was the ground, on which my Lord was laid.
Mine was the debt, mine was the crime for which my Saviour paid.
How could He die? How could He die to save a soul like mine?
To save a soul like mine?
Cold was the night, black was the tomb. They sealed it with a stone.
Still was the air, stilled was His breath, and there He lay alone.
Body and blood, broken and shed; the price of love divine.
The price of love divine.
Dark is my mind, cold is my heart, and black my sin stained soul.
Can it be true, can it be real, that God would make me whole?
Deep is the pain, deep is the fear, so deep the sin in me.
So deep the sin in me.
Earthquake and light, wonder and fear, the stone was rolled away!
Mighty He rose up from the grave. Oh great and joyful day!
Saviour and Lord! Saviour and Lord! His love has set me free!
His love has set me free.
©1996, 1999 Russell Baker.
The first line is from an 18th century hymn by Thomas Haweis, which was immortalised by Blind Willie Johnson in a sliding, moaning, humming masterpiece in 1927. While the original hymn also went by the title "Gethsemane", this song focuses on Christ in the tomb... dead, buried, abandoned for us.
My various searches failed to find a hymn by Thomas Haweis by the title "Gethsemane" or with the words "Dark was the night and cold the ground", or any variant on this. Therefore, I want to express my thanks to Grant Wilson, who sent me the following link: http://www.cptryon.org/xpipassio/hymns/dark.html, and so helped me in solving a long running puzzle.
This song has been published by Sydney Missionary and Bible College in their songbook "Living by God's Grace"
For more information e-mail SMBC at smbc@ozemail.com.au
Copyright Information
All congregational songs by Russell Baker are subject to copyright protection, and have been registered with Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) for the purpose of reproduction of lyrics internationally.
If you have a CCLI license in your local church, please feel free to use these songs in your local church free of charge for non-profit purposes - just register copies made in line with the CCLI guidelines.
To find out more about CCLI go to their website:
Permission is also given for the use of this song in personal study and devotion.
For permission to use these songs other than under a CCLI license or for personal use you need to contact Russell Baker:
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©2005 Russell Baker