“And Can it Be?” was written by Charles Wesley in 1738. There are several different tunes used for this song, but the most well-known is probably SAGINA, written by Thomas Cambell.

The story behind this song is quite amazing. While you might have heard of Charles Wesley before, you may not have heard his conversion story.

Charles was born in 1707 to Samuel and Susannah Wesley. He was a very bright boy and spent 13 years at Westminster School. As a young man, he went off to Oxford University, where he formed the Holy Club. This was a religious group that adhered to strict rules that were self-enforced.

Later, Charles and his brother, John, traveled to the colony of Georgia, bent on winning the Native Americans to God. They eventually returned to England, discouraged at their failure. John even lamented, “I went to America to convert the Indians, but, oh, who will convert me?”

It was then that Charles met a man named Peter Böhler, who challenged Charles’ thinking and caused him to deeply consider the true state of his soul. Finally, in May of 1738, Charles Wesley repented of his sins and put his faith in Christ alone for salvation. Within the space of a few days, Charles had penned the words to “And Can it Be?,” expressing his overwhelming joy and awe that Christ would save him.

Charles Wesley went on to write over 6,000 hymns, but “And Can it Be?” remains one of his most famous. Even today, believers who sing this song can identify with the love and admiration expressed in the lyrics.

Below are the words for “And Can it Be?” As I said before, there are several different tunes for this hymn. You can listen to a recording of SAGINA here. The Herbster Trio sings another version here, and Ben Everson wrote and arranged an a cappella version, which you can listen to here. I’m sure there are more tunes for this song out there, so let me know if you find another one.

And Can it Be?

Verse 1:

And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest 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, should die for me?

Refrain:

Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Verse 2:

He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Humbled Himself and came in love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.

Verse 3:

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

Verse 4:

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.

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