Samuel Crossman, the author of this song, was born in England in 1623, but little is known about his early years. As an adult, he tried to serve in both Anglican and Puritan congregations, hoping to bring about a change in the theology of the Anglican church. Unsuccessful, he was among those who suffered for being a dissenter. Some of the greatest devotional literature and hymns were written during those times of persecution. The classic Christian allegory, “Pilgrim's Progress,” was written by John Bunyan while he was in prison for not conforming to the edicts of the Established Church.
“My Song Is Love Unknown” was originally one of 9 devotional poems published by Crossman in 1664 in “The Young Man’s Meditation.” This small collection was intended to spiritually nourish young Christians. The seven stanzas appeared without music and were under the heading, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 6:14) Over the years the poem had been set to a variety of different tunes, but the one that’s credited with bringing the hymn out of obscurity was composed in 1918 by noted English composer John Ireland and was first published in “The Public School Hymn Book” in 1919. The story of how Ireland wrote the tune was told in a letter published in London’s Daily Telegraph 30 years later. Ireland and Geoffrey Shaw, one of the editors of the hymn book, were having lunch together, and Shaw suggested Ireland write a new tune for the hymn. Ireland took a scrap of paper and in 15 minutes produced the perfect tune for Crossman’s poem. However, because of its classical style and irregular rhythm, some have found it difficult to sing, but once learned, congregations enjoy its expression of the narrative of the text. The language of devotional poetry written in that era may sometimes seem too complicated to sing in modern times. In this instance, hymnal editors have omitted some original stanzas and have “updated” Crossman’s language, losing some of the hymn’s impact.
The original seven stanzas take the singer on a journey from Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem to His agonizing death on the cross, reminding one of the love shown in Christ’s willingness to suffer and die for a world of lost sinners. The Savior demonstrated “love unknown,” unfathomable love, for the “loveless” so that they might be “lovely.” But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
1. My song is love unknown;
My Saviour's love to me.
Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be.
Oh who am I, that for my sake
My Lord should take Frail flesh and die.
2. He came from his blessed throne,
Salvation to bestow:
But men made strange, and none
The longed-for Christ would know.
But oh! my friend; My friend indeed,
Who at my need His life did spend.
3. Sometimes they strow his way,
And his sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day,
Hosannas to their King.
Then crucify Is all their breath,
And for his death They thirst, and cry.
4. Why, what hath my Lord done?
What makes this rage, and spite?
He made the lame to run,
He gave the blind their sight.
Sweet injuries! Yet they at these
Themselves displease,
And 'gainst him rise.
5. They rise, and needs will have
My dear Lord made away,
A murderer they save:
The Prince of life they slay.
Yet cheerful he to suff'ring goes,
That he his foes From thence might free.
6. In life no house, no home,
My Lord on earth might have:
In death no friendly tomb,
But what a stranger gave.
What may I say? Heav'n was his home;
But mine the tomb Wherein he lay.
7. Here might I stay, and sing;
No story so divine.
Never was love, dear King!
Never was grief like thine.
This is my friend, In whose sweet praise
I all my days Could gladly spend.
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