It is a hugely evocative hymn for me, one I have loved since school assembly days; and the words are particularly pertinent right now. Our "green hill" is currently beyond the horizon, hidden from view as we all stay at home during the Covid-19 enforced lockdown. We must trust in God as we approach Holy Week; remembering Jesus' suffering and perhaps using this time away from the rollercoaster of our busy lives to consider our own faith. This period of "lockdown" is useful for contemplation, a gift of time during turbulent world events. One day soon we can emerge from our isolation and celebrate Christ's resurrection with perhaps a more enlightened understanding of his Passion and the Easter story.
Cecil Frances Alexander lived 1818-1895 in Dublin, Ireland. She also wrote "All things Bright and Beautiful", and "Once in Royal David's City" amongst many others. She was a prolific verse writer, her hymns heavily influenced first by Dr. Walter Hook, Dean of Chichester, and later her connections within the Oxford Movement.
Whilst many of us are unfamiliar with the controversies surrounding both the Movement and Alexander's endorsement of the class system, her hymns are known and loved by Christians the world over. Alexander also published poetry in english and french, for adults and children.
Below is a recording of the hymn by Kings' College Choir, my friend's son is a current chorister and will miss his first Easter with the choir.
1. There is a green hill far away,
outside a city wall,
where the dear Lord was crucified,
who died to save us all.
2. We may not know,
we cannot tell
what pains he had to bear;
but we believe it was for us
he hung and suffered there.
3. He died that we might be forgiven,
he died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by his precious blood.
4. There was no other good enough,
to pay the price of sin;
he only could unlock the gate
of heaven and let us in.
5. O dearly, dearly has he loved,
and we must love him too;
and trust in his redeeming blood,
and try his works to do.
Cecil Alexander
