AT THE CROSS

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1707


“At the Cross” – History of the Hymn

Original Hymn: “Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed”
Author: Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

1. Origins (1707)

  • The hymn was written by Isaac Watts, often called the “Father of English Hymnody.”

  • It was first published in 1707 in his collection Hymns and Spiritual Songs.

  • Watts wrote it as a deeply personal meditation on Christ’s crucifixion, human sin, and grateful response to grace.

The original hymn did not include a refrain. It consisted only of reflective stanzas, focusing on:

  • Christ’s suffering

  • The cost of sin

  • The believer’s emotional and spiritual response to the cross

2. The Refrain “At the Cross” (1885)

  • The familiar refrain:

    “At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light…”
    was added nearly 180 years later.

  • This refrain was written by Ralph E. Hudson, an American gospel musician.

  • Hudson published it in 1885, transforming Watts’s hymn into a gospel-style song suitable for revival meetings and congregational singing.

Because of this addition, the hymn became widely known by the shorter title “At the Cross.”

3. Musical Development

  • The hymn has been sung to several tunes over the years.

  • The tune most commonly associated with the refrain-added version is “Hudson.”

  • Earlier versions were sung in Common Meter (CM), allowing flexibility with different traditional tunes.

4. Themes and Theology

Key themes include:

  • The atoning sacrifice of Christ

  • Personal conviction of sin

  • Gratitude and surrender

  • Emotional transformation through the cross

The hymn is notable for its first-person language, which was innovative in Watts’s time and helped shift hymnody toward personal faith expression.

5. Legacy and Use Today

  • “At the Cross” remains a staple in Protestant worship, especially during:

    • Good Friday

    • Communion services

    • Evangelistic meetings

  • It bridges traditional hymnody and gospel music, making it enduringly popular across denominations.

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