This isn’t a hymn that’s commonly associated with Lent, at least in my experience, but I think it fits this season; I also think it’s a magnificent text that benefits from one of the most beautiful melodies the human heart has ever produced (at least in this life).
I Cannot TellI cannot tell why He whom angels worship
Should set His love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wanderers
To bring them back, they know not how our when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary
When Bethlehem’s manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and labored,
And so the Savior, Savior of the world, is come.I cannot tell how silently He suffered
As with His peace He graced this place of tears,
Or how His heart upon the cross was broken,
The crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, He heals the broken-hearted
And stays our sin and calms our lurking fear,
And lifts the burden from the heavy-laden,
For yet the Savior, Savior of the world, is here.I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
How He will claim His earthly heritage,
Or satisfy the needs and aspirations
Of East and West, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun will shine in splendor
When He the Savior, Savior of the world, is known.I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship
When at His bidding every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation
When all the hearts of men with love are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
And myriad, myriad voices sing,
And earth to heaven, and heaven to earth will answer:
“At last the Savior, Savior of the world, is King!”Words: William Y. Fullerton
Music: Traditional Irish melody
LONDONDERRY AIR, 11.10.11.10.11.10.11.12