The hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", was written by Isaac Watts, and published in Hymns and Spiritual Songs in 1707. It is significant for being an innovative departure from the early English hymn style of only using paraphrased biblical texts, although the first two lines of the second verse do paraphrase St Paul at Galatians 6:14. The poetry of "When I survey..." may be seen as English literary baroque.
The hymn's fourth verse ("His dying crimson...") is commonly omitted in printed versions, a practice that began with George Whitefield in 1757.
Read more about When I Survey The Wondrous Cross: Musical Settings, Other Uses
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