1  O teach me what it meaneth:

       That Cross uplifted high,

    With One, the Man of Sorrows,

       Condemned to bleed and die.

    O teach me what it cost Thee

       To make a sinner whole;

    And teach me, Savior, teach me

       The value of a soul.

 2  O teach me what it meaneth:

       That sacred crimson tide,

    The blood and water flowing

       From Thine own wounded side.

    Teach me that if none other

       ^*Had sinned but only I,

    Yet still, O blessed Savior,

       Thou on the cross must die.

^*Last three lines of verse 2, originally:

Had sinned, but I alone,

Yet still, Thy blood, O Jesus,

Thine only, must atone.

 3  O teach me what it meaneth:

       Thy love beyond compare,

    The love that reacheth deeper

       Than depths of self-despair!

    Yea, teach me, till there gloweth

       In this cold heart of mine

    Some feeble, pale reflection

       Of that pure love of Thine.

 4  O teach me what it meaneth,

       For I am full of sin;

    And grace alone can reach me,

       And love alone can win.

    O teach me, for I need Thee,

       I have no hope beside,

    The chief of all the sinners

       For whom the Savior died.

 5  O teach me what it meaneth:

       The rest which Thou dost give

    To all the heavy-laden

       Who look to Thee and live.

    Because I am a rebel

       Thy pardon I receive:

    Because Thou dost command me,

       I can, I do believe.

 6  O infinite Redeemer,

       I bring no other plea;

    Because Thou dost invite me

       I cast myself on Thee.

    Because Thou dost accept me

       I love and I adore;

    Because Thy love constraineth,

       I'll praise Thee evermore.