This hymn is one that I love and that is truly an American one as it rose out of shape note singing. Chanticleer released a CD of international music which had this for its title piece. I think I’ve sung it in every church I’ve been part of — it’s a wonderful hymn for Lent because it is in a minor key and it talks about Christ’s death on the Cross.

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath God??s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb Who is the great ??I Am??;
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I??m free, I??ll sing on, I??ll sing on;
And when from death I??m free, I??ll sing on.
And when from death I??m free, I??ll sing and joyful be;
And through eternity, I??ll sing on, I??ll sing on;
And through eternity, I??ll sing on.

(HT: Net Hymnal for the lyrics)

So that people can hear the wonderfulness of the hymn, I have the Chanticleer arrangement from YouTube. It includes a verse that I haven’t found in any hymnals and omits the last verse listed here. I’m a huge fan of Chanticleer to begin with so of course I love this arrangement. Another beautiful one is done by Fernando Ortega.