♫ To Sagina: Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God,
should die for me?
And can it be – an icon of Methodist song, instantly
recognisable today alongside the well-known tune Sagina. It won’t
surprise anyone to hear it topped a 2018 poll of our
favourite hymns by Charles Wesley. But has it always been
sung with such fanfare? Sagina was written in 1825 by Thomas
Campbell, and harmonised in 1889 – quite some time after the
words were published in 1739. Even then, it took until 1922
for the pairing with “And can it be” to be formalised in a
published hymnal. That didn’t stop people singing it of course
– Martin Clarke has identified many tunes that have been used
across the ages! A particularly interesting alternative is found
in the 1933 Methodist Hymn Book. Lansdown, by A Beer, begins in B
minor, which lends a wondering quality to the opening questions
of each verse. The final line lands in D major for a solid
finish. Hear how that works with the third verse:
♫ To Lansdown: all verse 3 (He left His Father’s throne above)
Alternative tunes continue to be indicated even in Singing the
Faith, which points us towards Abingdon by Erik Routley – this
option is commended by Brian Wren, who says it matches
Wesley’s original meaning far better than Sagina. Let’s take
verse 4 for an example – with Sagina, the opening of this
verse is sometimes played more quietly, respecting the timbre
of a spirit weighed down by sin. But like Lansdown, Abingdon
flirts with the minor key and lends a gentler feel to the
entire verse – until the last line is declared with full
confidence in God.
♫ To Abingdon: all verse 4 (Long my imprisoned spirit lay)
Which do you find most helpful? I think there will be a place
for both approaches in our worship today: not all times and
situations call for the triumphant declaration of faith
in God that is the pairing of Sagina and And can it be. Wonder
and quiet awe are equally valid responses to God’s love for us.
But for the last verse I find Sagina particularly appropriate,
so let’s finish by hearing that final verse.
♫ To Sagina: all verse 5 (No condemnation now I dread)
Thanks for listening to songs we sing and how we've sung them, a
podcast by Jennifer Radtke. Acknowledgments, links and a
transcript for this episode can be found in the show notes at
podcasts dot stray song.co.uk And if you've enjoyed this
episode, you can subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.