Isaac Watts, the writer of "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," also wrote another hymn, "Godly Sorrow Arising from the Sufferings of Christ."  We know it today as "Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed."  The last verse of this song was instrumental in bring the hymn writer, Fanny Crosby, to Christ.

But drops of grief can ne'er repay, the debt of love I owe;

Here, Lord, I give myself away, 'tis all that I can do.

In 1851, Fanny attended a revival service at John Street Methodist Church in New York.  She wrote, "When the choir came to the line, "Here, Lord, I give myself away," she gave herself away to the Lord as well.  When she did, she said, her "soul flooded with celestial light."

There was also a young man who lived in the West who wrote his former Sunday school teacher, "Do you remember that hymn, "Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed?"  I thought it rubbish at the time, but the lines have followed me like a detective.  I haven't been able to shake off the question, "Was it for crimes that I have done?"  So I finally decided to surrender my life to Him.  "Here, Lord, I give myself away--"Tis all that I can do."

The hymn was first published in 1707.  Later, in 1885, Ralph F. Hudson composed the tune that we now have, and added a refrain.  One sees some slightly different words to the hymn.  Here are the other verses and the refrain:

Alas and did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die:

Would He devote that sacred Head for such a worm as I.

Thy body, slain, sweet Jesus, there, and bathed in Thine own blood.

While the firm mark of wrath divine, His soul in anguish stood.

Was it for crimes that I have done He suffered on the tree?

Amazing pity!  Grace unknown!  And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hid and shut His glories in.

When Christ, the great Redeemer, died for man the creature's sin.

Then might I hide my blushing face while His dear cross appears,

Dissolved my heart in thankfulness, and melt mine eyes to tears.

Refrain:

At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away.

It was there by faith I received my sight

And now I am happy all the day.