My Song Is Love Unknown - King's College, Cambridge

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The choir of King's College, Cambridge sing My Song Is Love Unknown. The choir are joined by the congregation in singing Samuel Crossman's words to the beautiful melody "love unknown" composed by John Ireland.
My song is love unknown,
My Saviors love to me;
Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be.
O who am I, that for my sake
My Lord should take, frail flesh and die?
He came from His blest throne
Salvation to bestow;
But men made strange, and none
The longed for Christ would know:
But O! my Friend, my Friend indeed,
Who at my need His life did spend.
Sometimes they strew His way,
And His sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day
Hosannas to their King:
Then Crucify! is all their breath,
And for His death they thirst and cry.
They rise and needs will have
My dear Lord made away;
A murderer they saved,
The Prince of life they slay,
Yet cheerful He to suffering goes,
That He His foes from thence might free.
Here might I stay and sing,
No story so divine;
Never was love, dear King!
Never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend, in Whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend.

[@spurge83]

Here might I stay and sing, No story so divine; Never was love, dear King, Never was grief like Thine. This is my Friend, In whose sweet praise I all my days Could gladly spend. The poetry in that verse. Makes me smile every time.

[@sidpheasant7585]

The tremendous ECONOMY of it. A 210-word essay that includes all the truth, facts, emotions and impressions we need. Boy, could they ever use words in 1664!

[@JohnSnow-fv6jy]

💗

[@olubunmibalogun7278]

This song makes me cry. Mankind is so undeserving of the love of God but He loves us anyway. It's amazing!!!

[@robertheylmun2315]

I cannot hear or sing this hymn without getting teary-eyed. So profoundly beautiful, a perfect match of words to music.

[@englishrose47]

I was quite unable to sing this at Bradford Cathedral’s Palm Sunday Service last Sunday

[@fairlyvague82]

@@englishrose47 I wanted to get there and couldn’t! Was it fantastic? I’d have sobbed all the way through!

[@DRxEggman]

Miserere does the same thing to me

[@nehajacob9049]

Instant tears. What a sweet hymn to our King ✝️

[@markjolley3768]

One of most beautiful hymns on the planet and most beautiful words !! Masterpiece..

[@livetwice7702]

I sang this by rote as a child , but listening to the words now pierce me to the core .........Never was love dear King never was grief like thine .....sing His Praise forever Amen .

[@domtheodorephillips1327]

"Love to the loveless shown..." what a profound summation of the Gospel of our Lord: rarely can I sing it without tears.

[@adamwright9517]

I have now discovered I cannot listen to it without tears as well!

[@mizzyroro]

Prior Theodore Phillips Same here brother.

[@mizzyroro]

QuickQuickSlowSlow55 What are you doing here Satan?

[@donaldcooper2794]

I sang it today, Good Friday at Holy Trinity Church, Skipton, and yes I filled up.

[@nancytetterton8480]

A favorite

[@katrinaparis]

Just sang this hymn at church today, for Palm Sunday. Draws me near to our Lord.

[@kellyfamily7723]

Had this at my wedding - what a hymn. His love for me transcends everything even though I am worthless and a sinner

[@glensideunitedchurchofchri3442]

I had this at my wedding too!!

[@livetwice7702]

Kelly Family as are we all undeserving of His Grace ......Rejoice you are called by God

[@sallymceachen6026]

I'm in awe that you had it for your wedding! I want it at my funeral. Not for some time yet I hope...

[@kellyfamily7723]

@@sallymceachen6026 that’s what you get when you think you have mitigated all risk by only allowing your husband to choose the hymns 😂

[@albertweedsteinthethuggeni7797]

Should have played we've only just begun instead

[@GloriaMaryHudson]

When you hear this hymn, it gives you hope in this hostile world

[@Fart_Fella]

Yes

[@brianwilson49]

What a absolutely exquisitely wonderful sound. The Anglican choral tradition is truly the pinnacle of music.

[@josepholeary3286]

Each of singers' individual timbre can be heard

[@andrewhodgson2197]

Sad to think it’s all dieing out

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

@@andrewhodgson2197 Oh, I pray not ! I would hate for the darkness of hate and discrimination to take that as well!

[@HowardMadea]

Such Catholic heritage is awe inspiring 😍

[@sidpheasant7585]

Through the Holy Spirit...

[@QuicknStraight]

Absolutely one of the most beautiful hymns ever written.

[@RosieLydgate]

One of the most beautiful hymn tunes ever written.

[@geoffreyjonathanwilson9932]

This beautiful hymn was sung at my beloved late dad's service of thanksgiving last May. What a wonderful hymn it truly is.😊

[@exaudi33]

To sing this is to have your heart, your soul, directly touched in ways unknown, by the wondrous Christ. And it resonates more fully now, in quarantine, without our beloved churches to attend. But the Notre Dame bell rang today, for the first time since last year's fire. Could it be hope that I feel? Could it be light that I see?

[@johnbowers4452]

😊

[@basicaa]

“Faith is a free surrender and a joyous wager on the unseen, unknown, untested goodness of God.” (Martin Luther)

[@bernie4268]

What a pity the Catholic services are often poor in comparison to the glory of the hymns in the Anglican tradition. I simply adore this hymn. “Here might I stay and sing No story do divine… This is my friend, In whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend”. Amen.

[@TheLUbtown]

One of my favorite hymns in both text and tune.

[@boner1952]

One of my absolute favourite hymns

[@derkaouizakaria2917]

I'm Muslim I wish the lord bless you and keep you .....together for peace ...Muslims and Christians

[@mizzyroro]

derkaoui zakaria Amen my brother. As salamu alaykum.

[@derkaouizakaria2917]

Mizzy Roro thanks brother💜

[@gordonsmith8899]

derkaoui zakaria ........ and may the Lord lift up His face to shine upon you, and give you peace.

[@objectivitycave11]

thank you!!! all true religious people are non violent and full of God's compassion. one love

[@rev.ryan.hoskins5845]

very nice concept except for surah 9:29, and the Jesus that Christians worship is the one that your Maudi is supposedly suppose to come and kill, after of course the "true" jesus comes back and corrects all the christians of the world of how he was not virgin born, not the son of God, did not die, did not rise, and again his second coming will be to convert everyone to islam and fight with the maudi to kill the christian savior which is your anti christ... gotta say don't leave much room for peace...

[@JohnstonChristopher]

This hymn is quite relevant especially in April 2020 amidst all the darkness we are facing.

[@albertweedsteinthethuggeni7797]

All this darkness is Satan reincarnated. The virus was released on purpose

[@user-dx5bn4yk4f]

@@albertweedsteinthethuggeni7797 no truer words

[@careydepass130]

Darkness? Try Spring 2022! Instability all around this world of ours.

[@JohnSnow-fv6jy]

​@@careydepass130 2023. His light shines ever brighter. 🙂💗

[@englishrose47]

Why what hath my Lord done? What makes this rage and spite? He made the lame to run, he gave the blind their sight. 😢😢

[@RollinMarquis]

Was ever a profound poem so sublimely wed to subtle and sweet music?

[@williamripley3192]

It reminds me of an evensong hymn.One could spend hours listening to this world renowned choir.

[@arandomperson8343]

Why would anyone dislike a video that shows a wonderful piece of music. Amen! 🙏

[@majorjessecarnes5303]

Marvelous hymn and none can sing better than King's College, Cambridge

[@paulineweeks7351]

Wonderful words sung at my late husbands cremation!!

[@colleenlingle5888]

Such a beautiful song. It touched my heart. The choir is amazing. I pray that these young men stay with the church.

[@bettyassifua-nonkoh1565]

Not just with church. In the Lord.

[@lucastodd2052]

Amen! GOD BLESS

[@yemialabi1727]

Amen

[@davidhartmann1446]

As an American, I am not familiar with these magnificent and touching hymns, but knowing my British roots, these are totally inspiring. What a great tribute to my heritage!!!

[@gordonsmith8899]

David Hartman Cherish your heritage David. Blessings on you and your's.

[@ernestbowen4054]

David Hartmann Find yourself an Episcopal Church. It will be full of anglophiles like yourself.

[@hornkraft9438]

The Episcopal Church is our American version of the Church of England. Even with all of the modern updates, you might be able to find some of your heritage here. If not, look for any church in America that calls itself "Anglican" -- something that radicals in the Episcopal Church do not want to be.

[@AngieBee-uz1tw]

I heard this hymn in an LCMS church (Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod). Lutheran hymnals contain a lot of great hymns that I never heard in an Evangelical church.

[@chidinmachisomunigwe]

One hymn I will never get over. Never! The deep meaning, the tune, everything about it is divine. God's love is so genuine and makes me cry sometimes.

[@nzeakoratulomah7533]

This is an awesome hymn, superbly rendered. Would like to visit this choir when I come to the UK. I must confess I'm in love with English cathedrals.

[@gordonsmith8899]

+Nzeakor Atulomah. Wishing you a pleasant visit - Blessings

[@jimwagg6554]

Gordon Smith

[@AnnabelleJARankin]

Really hope you make it, God Bless you and your family.

[@glynnwright1699]

I have visited quite a few and it is Ely cathedral, on a late autumn afternoon, that made the greatest impression with me.

[@SuperJonnyboy2010]

This isnt actually a cathedral. Its magnificent but is actually 'just' the college chapel. My family are from Cambridge and have been in there on many occasion and it is truly wonderful. Visit if you can.

[@eduardafreire7766]

coming back here at the end of Easter Sunday! how i love to praise my Friend ❤

[@douglasprice9606]

The lyrics are even more relevant now in May, 2022.

[@johnbpullin1]

This hymn is one of my favorites. It really speaks to the heart in text and tune. Of course, Kings College just adds the topping to the whole experience.

[@sherwingreene1163]

May you continue to RIP Sir Stephen Cleobury 🙏🏽

[@DavidNesbit_theTHINKER]

Many thanks for posting, as l listened it came back to me that this was the piece that l sang as a solo ~45 years ago in our local Church Of England Choir (!!). Still enjoyable to this day.

[@nzeakoratulomah7533]

Can't seem to get over this hymn yet. Not sure which to blame for this: the touching lyrics, the fantastic tune or the mastery brought on by this choir ...

[@abdiigaarii]

Same here. Be blessed

[@domtheodorephillips1327]

I am sure it is the combination of all three factors, working together, to convey the generosity of God in such a powerful way!

[@ds1868]

There is also the organ, built by Harrison and Harrison of Durham, and one of the finest instruments in England.

[@shelaghwmclean6431]

I sang this song at school 68 years ago and i used to sing it to myself in bed at night. I was at Boarding School and sometimes felt very homesick. It was such a comfort to me and still is.

[@andrewhodgson2197]

Try listening to the Hymn ‘Be still my Soul’ same effect

[@totalutilitynigeriacompany8858]

Great rendition. Our love for our Savior, Jesus Christ, is unending

[@omendjadi]

I hope there is someway this could be sung at my funeral. Divine.

[@englishrose47]

Then “Crucify” is all their breath and for his death they thirst and cry. 😢😢

[@basicaa]

After calvary, peace was no longer to operate on the thin blade of truth or in the court of law, but in the torn heart of a God who had become human for us in Jesus Christ.

[@ramihassan4511]

watched this video many times just found your comment today. thank you for such beautiful words

[@J-w-sings423]

I have always loved this hymn.

[@anthonycoltrin3251]

I So Much Greatly Admire the Choir and the Organist !!!! What Style He Has !!! I Love this performance.......

[@DeeDee-el8bd]

This song just touch my heart!❤❤❤ Thank you God🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@andrewlaycock3269]

I was drawn back to this hymn by the Coldplay song “Message” which quotes the lovely words “My song is love unknown.” A beautiful English hymn with wonderful words. Singing hymns used to be part of all our lives, sadly no longer.

[@taqwaoleksandr4831]

Thank You GOD The Almighty for loving me so deeply! Amen

[@NamanPaul]

I have been listening this for 2 hours now, amzed by such a beautiful composition

[@danandmary11]

Just discovered this beautiful hymn. It is said that John Ireland wrote the hymn tune over lunch. I would like to hear what he can do over a long dinner.

[@allegresse6497]

wao

[@IambiguousSegment]

Get massively pissed

[@abhishekmhatre1554]

The hymn was written by Samuel Crossman, a minister of the Church of England whose attempt to reconcile the Puritans and the Anglicans sadly failed, and who was expelled for his Puritan sympathies, but he still left us with a touching and heartfelt expression of his relationship with God.

[@Londonfogey]

Suits the mood of Good Friday perfectly. It's emotional and reflective, without being sentimental or maudlin.

[@mkl62]

I am an ELCA Lutheran from South Carolina. I play the piano and organ. Tonight (April 18, Good Friday), I filled in at a local Lutheran Church. I played this after the reading of John 19:1-16. It is #343 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.

[@ronemeireles2816]

These are the most sublime 3 minutes of my day!

[@lalabooda2168]

We sung this recently at the Easter Passion and I just can't get it out of my head - totally memorised !! A wonderful rendition capturing the moments of our Lord's passion. Glory be to God.

[@markjolley3768]

One of my all time favourite hymns!! The music and words are comforting depicts christ love for us and pain he endured !!

[@kendalllord8631]

Praise God for eternal truths expressed so exquisitely. What wonderful gifts are words and music combined so beautifully to the glory of God!

[@carharttgirl77]

Sang it today, the first Sunday in Lent! Beautiful....

[@robertbanderson3589]

Meaning and music so sublime as this brings me also to tears. In an age of angst and uncertainty, would that we love one another.

[@moniquethomas3610]

I've rediscovered this hymn; strangely, I had long ago forgotten it. As a former Episcopalian, it was sung in church fairly often. After singing it during a Bible study last week, I claimed I had never heard it before. But I was wrong; I have. I am grateful it has come back to me.

[@harrybendelow3537]

Yes, wonderful, it reminds me of school. I think I was converted by hymns.

[@AngieBee-uz1tw]

I recently heard someone say that hymns are mini-sermons, and the congregation often remembers the hymns throughout the week, keeping the teaching in their thoughts.

[@voraciousreader3341]

I want to say that this is my favorite hymn of all time, but there are just too many hymns in the Episcopal faith that speak what my heart longs to say, but can’t; of course, we are within the Anglican Church, so we share so much music. I can say that I never yet, in _decades_ of singing this. have made it through the last two verses without crying. Everything about this hymn, the melody, the parts, the poetry, is perfection to me!

[@sidpheasant7585]

Quite so. Completely agree. Yesterday I spent two hours in a (crowded) Catholic Church many hundreds of miles from my British homeland. The Priest is beloved and great and says amazing things (which is why I go - and he HAS changed me). But truth be told I could think of 50 British Anglican (or Methodist) hymns better than any music I heard during the whole time. Well, no one has the monopoly, do they?

[@JoshRyan1994]

One of the finest hymn tunes ever written and it is sung/play fantastically!

[@bobbeserena-wayman5900]

There is nothing more beautiful than a choir and organ at a church service. Absolutely beautiful any time of year!

[@chrisoppong]

Thank you God for loving me so deeply. So touching makes me well up with gratitude.

[@randylaw5184]

+Chris Oppong AMEN.

[@herberteasterling8182]

MAGNIFICENT, THIS HYMN SPEAKS OF THE SAVIOR GREAT LOVE FOR US AMEN

[@duetsisters9437]

It is only the love of Jesus that always touches me with any hymn and especially with this hymn whenever I listen and my eyes bring tears. Jesus I love you. A word for the choir and the organist. I am from southern India and I am deeply encouraged by the way you people sing and quality of singing, playing of the organist and finally but not the least the organ sound. Please stay connected with God and be a blessing to all the world like it is for me. God bless you

[@natkretep]

Such drama and great story-telling in the hymn. I think of the boy trebles on 'Sometimes they strew His way, / And His sweet praises sing', and then the tenors spit out 'Then “Crucify!” / is all their breath'. No greater love. Thanks be to God.

[@kleeson7509]

A truly inspirational hymn sung with amazing conviction. Hymn singing and the supporting organ accompaniment at its very best!

[@livetwice7702]

One of my absolute favourites

[@janicephillips3022]

I love this hymn. It is for me the perfect summary of the gospel of Christ. Wonderful lyrics combined with a beautiful and touching melody. The words go beyond the facts to the heart of our loving Lord and that elicits a reciprocal response.

[@mensabs]

SO BEAUTIFUL!

[@ribokstarmarbaniang6044]

Great hymn ...I really feel blessed when I watched this video... The eternal love of GOD for us...amen

[@eztobeme]

I always look forward to singing this hymn(tune) in Lent. Is there any doubt that this is what it's all about: "O who am I, that for my sake My Lord should take frail flesh and die?" Usually choked up by the time we get to: "Never was love, dear King! Never was grief like Thine."

[@1934polly]

This is a hymn that I relate to back in my childhood days at Great Shelford Cambs inthe1940's. I just love it.

[@aeperera585]

We were introduced to this song by my Roman Catholic Diocesan Choir in Calgary, which I joined in January 2019. I was emotionally drawn into the prose & music right at the outset. Such beautiful poetry in King's English, aptly selected to bring in the meaning of Jesus' life on earth. Oh! how lovely. Thank you, John Ireland and Crossman for your work. Blessings!

[@anthonycoltrin3251]

We should all listen to these true words and apply them to our daily lives, just a beautiful song !!!!!!!

[@ColoradoMountain56]

This is a beautiful hymn and performed with great beauty. Thanks be to God!

[@mkl62]

I am an ELCA Lutheran from South Carolina. This is to all denominations: If 1 John 4: 7-19 is your Scripture of the Day, this is a good hymn to compliment it. It is also appropriate right now as we are in the Season of Lent (March 1-April 15).

[@scamper76]

Looking forward to singing this with gusto (and maybe a few tears) on Good Friday

[@Fritzlaful]

My song is love unknown: Glaube, Liebe, Hofnung

[@taqwaoleksandr4831]

My favorite hymn :)

[@bobaddison8399]

Absolutely Wonderful

[@sizakunene3056]

U-Kristu uyiNkosi! ✊

[@FrJohnWallace]

Why, what hath my Lord done? What makes this rage and spite? He made the lame to run, He gave the blind their sight, Sweet injuries! Yet they at these Themselves displease, and ’gainst Him rise.

[@gordonsmith8899]

Fr. John Wallace I cannot read or hear these words without tears.

[@robertlewis8394]

I remember you raising your hands in praise to this one. It is a classic favorite.

[@johnwallace8256]

@@gordonsmith8899 Gordon! Me too!

[@johnwallace8256]

@@robertlewis8394 Robert Lewis! How are you man? How your family? It's been a long time. God bless you!

[@Damian-rt3rt]

This is my morning prayer this morning.

[@stanleynowak467]

A magnificent hymn

[@WWR38]

Thank you for a beautiful hymn.

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

Beautiful, and appropriate to our world's current predicament!

[@Londonfogey]

I'm usually choked up before it even starts! Such a beautiful combination of words and music.

[@lindarhodes3970]

I join you in that.

[@CraigLemming37]

God's music!

[@choirboyfromhell1]

Always a tear-jerker. The last verse says it all.

[@josparkes9381]

Wonderful words and a wonderful Saviour !

[@bryanelam5714]

Amazing, thanks for posting!

[@abarn9541]

We’re singing this in our church choir this coming Sunday. I hope we’re half as good!

[@brucegradwohl6152]

Very beautiful! I wish that ALL videos were laid out like this one.It is so easy to follow along.

[@MrRagnwald]

I usually am in tears by the time the organist opines th' intro...

[@ManCalledMif]

beautiful hymn. fantastic performance.

[@olalekanoladetohun8923]

Alleluia! If Nicodemus sang to Jesus in John 3, it has to be this hymn. The words simply expose the helplessness of man without the Father's love. Thank you Lord for your love.

[@nzpalamopa]

Praise the lord Jesus for His love for The World

[@charlesandpatyoung3936]

Beautiful!

[@laurentlouisducourretgravereau]

Bravo et merci pour ce très beau cantique. Mention spéciale pour l'organiste qui sans lui tout deviendrait terne. Merci enfin à vous tous de nous permettre d'écouter une musique si pure et juste:)

[@mkl62]

A follow-up: This hymn also goes well with the following passages of Scripture: Luke 20:9-19, Psalm 28:1-3, 7-11, Isaiah 43:16-21, and Philippians 3:8-14.

[@wildphil21]

Such a beautiful hymn. Praise God.

[@stevensmall6043]

So stunningly sung. I can't stop weeping. The whole Gospel is there!