And Can It Be That I Should Gain

Also known as: And Can It Be

Author: Charles Wesley

Composer: Thomas Campbell

Year: 1738

Style: traditional

Public Domain

★★★★★ Doctrinally Excellent

Print / PDF

Theological Analysis

Charles Wesley's stunning meditation on the atonement. Written shortly after his conversion in 1738, it traces the entire arc of salvation: Christ's incarnation and sacrifice, the believer's liberation from bondage, and the boldness of justification. "My chains fell off, my heart was free" is among the most powerful lines in hymnody.

✓ Theological Strengths

Comprehensive theology of the atonement
Teaches Christ's incarnation (Philippians 2:6-8)
Vivid picture of spiritual liberation from sin's bondage
Climaxes with justification — 'no condemnation' (Romans 8:1)
Personal, experiential language grounded in doctrine

AI Theological Check

Chord Chart

Key:

Verse 1

And C can it F be that C I should G gain

An C interest F in the G Savior's blood?

C Died He for F me, who C caused His G pain —

For C me, who F Him to G death C pursued?

Amazing Am love! Dm How can G it C be,

That F Thou, my C God, shouldst G die for C me?

Amazing C love! How F can it C G be,

That C Thou, F my God, G shouldst die for me?

Verse 2

He C left His F Father's throne C G above

So C free, F so infinite G His grace —

C Emptied Himself of F all but C G love,

And C bled for F Adam's helpless G C race:

'Tis Am mercy Dm all, immense G and C free,

For F O my C God, it G found out C me!

'Tis C mercy all, F immense and C G free,

For C O F my God, G it found out me!

Verse 3

Long C my imprisoned F spirit C G lay,

Fast C bound F in sin G and nature's night;

C Thine eye diffused F a quickening C ray G —

I C woke, the F dungeon flamed G with C light;

My Am chains Dm fell off, G my heart C was free,

I F rose, went C forth, and G followed C Thee.

My C chains fell F off, my C heart was G free,

I C rose, F went forth, G and followed Thee.

Verse 4

No C condemnation now F I C G dread;

Jesus, C and F all in G Him, is mine;

C Alive in Him, F my living C G Head,

And C clothed in F righteousness G C divine,

Bold Am I Dm approach th'eternal G C throne,

And F claim the C crown, through G Christ my C own.

Bold C I approach F th'eternal C G throne,

And C claim F the crown, G through Christ my own.

Full Lyrics

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior's blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain —

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

He left His Father's throne above

So free, so infinite His grace —

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam's helpless race:

'Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!

'Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature's night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray —

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach th'eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Bold I approach th'eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

This hymn is in the public domain.

Resources

ChordPro (.cho) Lyrics (.txt)

No resources uploaded yet. Sign in to upload.

Community Discussion

Loading discussion...

← Back to Songs Submit Additional Analysis