The Foot of the Cross - hymn

[kiki1982]

Does anyone know about which hymn Hardy is talking here? I would just like to see the lyrics, but I am no good at hymns and when they were composed... It seems there are several versions now and I can't figure out which.

Anybody help?

[dafydd manton]

"When I survey the Wondrous Cross", music by Mason, 1824, words by Isaac Watts, 1707. There was a tune before that, but I don;t know what. Hope that helps.

[kiki1982]

Are you sure?

The reason why I ask is that Hardy mentions in his tale that the composer was a local fellow from Wessex who had recently composed it (Easter) and Jude goes to see him.

1824 seems a little early for that, certainly as the novel is set in 'modern' England with trains and everything... Unless, there was another melody made to the text.

I certainly would fit, though.

[dafydd manton]

That's always possible, but I regret I don't know. Sorry. I'll have a look, and see what I can come up with. I can't have been Mason (the tune is called Rockingham), because he was American, so I'll do a bit more work.

[dafydd manton]

It rather looks like the hymn is purely fictitious. The only hymn of that name seems to have been written by an Irish wman who wasn't born until 1974, so it isn't that one.