1 

O teach me what it meaneth:

   That Cross uplifted high,

With One, the Man of Sorrows,

   Condemned to bleed and die.

O teach me what it cost Thee

   To make a sinner whole;

And teach me, Savior, teach me

   The value of a soul.

 2 

O teach me what it meaneth:

   That sacred crimson tide,

The blood and water flowing

   From Thine own wounded side.

Teach me that if none other

   ^*Had sinned but only I,

Yet still, O blessed Savior,

   Thou on the cross must die.

^*Last three lines of verse 2, originally:

Had sinned, but I alone,

Yet still, Thy blood, O Jesus,

Thine only, must atone.

 3 

O teach me what it meaneth:

   Thy love beyond compare,

The love that reacheth deeper

   Than depths of self-despair!

Yea, teach me, till there gloweth

   In this cold heart of mine

Some feeble, pale reflection

   Of that pure love of Thine.

 4 

O teach me what it meaneth,

   For I am full of sin;

And grace alone can reach me,

   And love alone can win.

O teach me, for I need Thee,

   I have no hope beside,

The chief of all the sinners

   For whom the Savior died.

 5 

O teach me what it meaneth:

   The rest which Thou dost give

To all the heavy-laden

   Who look to Thee and live.

Because I am a rebel

   Thy pardon I receive:

Because Thou dost command me,

   I can, I do believe.

 6 

O infinite Redeemer,

   I bring no other plea;

Because Thou dost invite me

   I cast myself on Thee.

Because Thou dost accept me

   I love and I adore;

Because Thy love constraineth,

   I'll praise Thee evermore.