Augsburg Fortress

I wrote “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” for the Decorah First United Methodist Church as part of a more Tenebrae service, in which modern stories of suffering were used beside the ageless story of Jesus’ suffering and death. I wanted my setting to express the simple yet profound devotion of Isaac Watts’s text, but I didn’t want it to be overwrought. I think many of our so-called “traditional” hymns have truly stunning texts, but we sometimes forget that as we sing the traditional tunes that are associated with them. I was inspired by Christian artist Dr. Christopher Grundy, who pointed out that simply giving these texts a new setting can be an exciting avenue of exploration and a wonderfully creative way for us to deepen our faith. My choir truly enjoyed getting to know this new setting, and our congregation was moved by our performance of it. I hope you enjoy it as well.