Cross of Jesus
Staff Notation • Sacred, Hymns
4 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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Cross of Jesus by John Stainer — Lyrics
About Cross of Jesus
Sir John Stainer's Cross of Jesus is a powerful anthem for SATB choir, ideal for services commemorating the Passion or Easter. The English text grapples with the profound paradox of Christ's suffering: the eternal God becoming mortal and dying on the cross. It reflects on the immense sacrifice made for humanity, highlighting the "mysterious condescending" and "abandonment sublime" as God himself bears the "sufferings of time." The music, setting this devotional text, would offer a solemn and contemplative moment for a congregation, allowing the choir to express the deep theological and emotional weight of the crucifixion.