The Son of man came…to give His life a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
Words & Music: William B. Sparks, in Great Gospel Songs, edited by Haldor Lillenas et al. (Kansas City, Missouri: Nazarene Publishing House, 1929), number 3 (🔊 pdf nwc). Some sources credit this song using Sparks’ middle name, Burl.
If you know where to get a good photo of Sparks (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
I once was lost in sin’s dark night,
God’s love I spurned, I wandered from the right,
Rejecting Him, I know not why,
The One who for my soul did bleed and die.
Refrain
He ransomed me, from sin He set me free;
He paid my debt on rugged Calvary;
He’s taken all my sin and guilt away,
And turned my darkness into day.
He drew me to His kind embrace,
One look into His blessèd, loving face,
I saw the thorn prints on His brow,
Heart broken then, I at His feet did bow.
Refrain
I never dreamed I could possess
Such peace and joy as now is in my breast;
The Christ who set my poor soul free
Can save your soul and give you victory.
Refrain