Talk:When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

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Yes. But what about it? Why is this an encyclopedia entry? Shall we reprint each of Shakespeare's sonnets? They're good poetry. Maybe even a little better. User:Wetman

  • This is a good point, actually. When was it written? Before the notes on the history of the hymn? Maybe someone will expand on this hymn eventually.
I'm not going to argue the relative merits of Shakespeare's sonnets, but my first thought would be that some of the better-known ones should be reprinted. Off to see if someone has, indeed, typed out some of the Bard's work, just out of curiousity. Quill 22:03, 2 Jul 2004 (UTC)
Perhaps (as author of a couple of hymn pages) I could weigh in here. The aim wasn't to start up a "WikiHymnal", heavens no, but:
1. There were links to empty articles in the hymn page which I filled in, with a little history where I could. It was a while ago, but I recall taking as my precedent the existence of an empty link to fill, rather than the existence of "history". Someone else evidently thought they deserved an article--I simply started it.
2. If a hymn merits a page because of its place in the church, then it merits having the entire hymn reprinted, in addition to notes on the history etc. Note that we aren't reprinting *every* hymn written, merely the important ones. at present, there are 7 hymns in the "Christian Hymns" section. And I don't count of those as a "Christian" hymn (And did those feet), so it's only really half a dozen.
3. Well-known hymnists with pages of their own pretty much deserve to have their best-known, best-loved hymn in the Wiki. Now, obviously, there's an issue of taste here, but I would suggest that "When I survey" is certainly a strong contender for that place.
In opposition to point 3, I accept that, for instance, Joy to the World has an article. But that's really just a testament to the quality of Watts' writing. Wooster 16:45, 18 Jul 2004 (UTC)

Good format change, Mattcrypto. Why didn't I think of that? Quill 01:00, 18 Jul 2004 (UTC)

[edit] I think it's the wrong way around

Good to see the article with the important link to Charles Wesley. I think Isaac Watts said he would give all of his verses to have written Wesley's 'Come, O Thou traveller unknown'. I am not aware of a comment from Charles Wesley about this fine hymn of Watts.

JMH, England

Interesting. A quick websearch indicates that you're right. I'll take it out (only fair, I'd put it in!) I think I misremembered it as Wesley of Watts, not realising that they were, in fact, contemporary. The things you learn!  : ) Wooster 14:08, 10 Aug 2004 (UTC)


Has anyone got a source either way with the Watts/Wesley who wanted to write what wondering? (Try saying that 15 times fast) ;) Thanks :)

[edit] Use by BBC on Good Friday morning

I'm glad to hear that the use of the hymn by the BBC (Radio 4) to introduce its 7am broadcast on Good Friday morning, is still continuing. (Do many other major broadcasters use it similarly?) Though the way it is introduced ('and now for a verse of a traditional Easter hymn') is a bit lacking! Linuxlad 09:30, 7 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Easter category

I question whether "Easter songs" is an appropriate category for this hymn. The lyrics are all about the Passion, not at all the Resurrection, and in my breviary it is used for Evening Prayer throughout Lent and during Holy Week. I'll remove it from the Easter cat, absent objection. Carl.bunderson (talk) 06:16, 26 February 2008 (UTC)