LadyDpiano: Learn To Play The Wonderful Cross

Chris performing live in concert in Nashville, Tennessee (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Easter season is upon us, one of my favorite celebrations, and I'd like to post some related songs in the next few days or so.

The Wonderful Cross was written by Jesse Reeves, Chris Tomlin and J.D. Walt
© 2000 WorshipTogether.com SONGS (ASCAP) and sixsteps Music (ASCAP)

It's a moderately fast song in the Key of D, with 2 sharps F# and C#. I've highlighted the chords from my songbook in blue and as you can see, it's relatively easy to play. It's often sung on Good Friday. The hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", was written by Isaac Watts, and published in Hymns and Spiritual Songs in 1707.

VERSE 1:
D                 G        D
When I survey the wondrous cross
D            G         D     A
On which the Prince of glory died,
D                 G         D
My richest gain I count but loss,
D           A               D
And pour contempt on all my pride.

VERSE 2:
D                      G          D
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
D          G          D       A
Sorrow and blood flow mingled down:
D                      G      D
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
D                    A      D
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

CHORUS:
       G         D/F#             G         D/F#
Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
        G                D/F#               A
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
       G         D/F#             G         D/F#
Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
        G              D/F#
All who gather here by grace draw near
    A
And bless Your name

VERSE 3:
D                       G       D
Were the whole realm of Nature mine,
D            G        D        A
That were an offering far too small;
D                G     D
Love so amazing, so divine,
D                    A       D
Demands my soul, my life, my all!

Here's the breakdown with slash chords.

L.H. / R.H.

Verse 1-3

D/F#AD When I sur-
D/ADF# vey
D/ADE    the
D/ADG   won-
D/ADF# drous
D/ADF# cross on which the
D/ADG   Prince
D/ADF# of
D/ADF# Glor-
D/AC#E ry
D/ADE    died

D/F#AD my richest
D/ADF# gain
D/ADE    I
D/ADG   count
D/ADF# but
D/ADF# loss, and pour con-
D/ADE    tempt
D/F#AD on
D/ADE    all
D/ADF# my
D/F#AD pride.

Chorus

D/DF#A O
D/F#AD the
G/DGC    won-
G/GBD    der-
G/DGB    ful
F#/DF#A cross, O
F#/F#AD the
G/DGC     won-
G/GBD     der
G/DGB     ful
G/DF#A    cross
F#/ADF#   bids
F#/ADF#   me
G/BDA     come and
G/GBD     die and
G/ADA     find
F#/ADF#   that
F#/F#AD   I may
F#/AC#F# tru-
A/AC#G    ly
A/AC#E    live.
A/C#EA    O
A/EAD     the
G/DGC     won-
G/GBD     der
G/DGB     ful
G/DF#A    cross,
F#/DF#A   O
F#/F#AD   the
G/DGC      won-
G/GBD      der
G/DGB     ful
F#/DF#A   cross;
F#/ADF#   all
F#/DF#A   who
F#/BDA     gath-
G/GBD      er here by
G/ADA      grace
F#/ADF#   draw
F#/F#AE    near and
F#/AC#F# bless
A/AC#G    Your
A/AC#E     name
D/F#AD

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Blessings,