Scripture Verse

Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. Romans 5:12

Introduction

Words: Ben­ja­min Bed­dome (1717–1795). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Adapt­ed to Pub­lic Wor­ship (Lon­don: Bu­rton & Briggs, 1818), num­ber 262, alt. Effects of the Fall.

Music: Mar­tyr­dom Hugh Wil­son, 1800. Ar­ranged by Ralph E. Hud­son, cir­ca 1885 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Bed­dome (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

When Adam sinned, through all his race
The dire contagion spread:
As sickness, death, and deep disgrace
Sprang from our fallen head.

Satan in strong and heavy chains,
Binds the deluded soul;
And every furious passion reigns,
Without the least control.

From God and happiness we fly,
To earth and sense confined;
Lost in a maze of misery,
Yet to our misery blind.

Whene’er the man begins his race,
The criminal appears;
And evil habits keep their pace
With our increasing years.

Corruption flows through all our veins,
Our moral beauty’s gone;
The gold is fled, the dross remains;
Oh sin, what hast thou done!

Jesus, reveal Thy pardoning grace,
And draw our souls to Thee;
Thou art the only hiding place,
Where ruined souls can flee.