When I See My Savior, Hanging On Calvary

By Maud Frazer Jackson

Lyrics

1. When I see my Savior, hanging on Calvary,
Bearing there for sinners bitterest agony,
Gratitude o’erwhelms me, makes mine eyes grow dim,
All my ransomed being captive is to Him.

2. I can see the blood-drops, red ’neath His thorny crown,
From the cruel nail wounds now they are falling down;
Lord, when I would wander from Thy love away,
Let me see those blood-drops shed for me that day.

3. “Why hast thou forsaken?”--list to that sad, sad moan!
Oh, His heart was broken, suffering there alone;
Broken then that mortals ne’er need cry in vain
For God’s love and comfort, in the hour of pain.

Bible Reference

1 John 3:2

About This Hymn

“When I See My Savior” was written by Maud Frazer Jackson in 1893 and quickly became cherished in revival meetings and gospel hymn collections. It is a deeply personal hymn that reflects on the wonder and assurance of seeing Christ face to face. The text conveys both a spirit of anticipation and a heart of gratitude, dwelling on the thought that salvation is not a distant hope but a personal reality secured by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

The hymn emphasizes recognition: the singer declares with certainty that they shall know the Savior when they behold Him in glory. This recognition is not grounded in outward appearance but in the marks of His suffering, echoing the words of Thomas in John 20:27 when Jesus invited him to behold the wounds. The refrain magnifies this idea, affirming the confidence that believers will identify the Lord by His hands and side, the very tokens of redemption.

Like many hymns of the late 19th century, “When I See My Savior” was closely tied to revival movements that stressed personal assurance of salvation and the nearness of Christ. Its tender message comforted those who longed for heaven and provided hope in times of trial and grief. The hymn encouraged believers to lift their eyes beyond the struggles of earthly life and to focus on the eternal promise of seeing Jesus.

The power of Jackson’s hymn lies in its simplicity and directness. It does not dwell on theological complexity but on a personal relationship: the redeemed will know their Savior, not because of their worthiness but because of His unmistakable love displayed in His sacrifice. For congregations and individuals alike, singing this hymn provided a moment of deep assurance and heartfelt longing for the day when faith would become sight.