Man of Sorrows Lyrics Philip P. Bliss, 1875
4 verses, meter 7.7.7.8, public domain, free to print and project.
The words
Verse 1. “Man of sorrows,” what a name
For the Son of God who came,
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
Verse 2. Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned he stood,
Seal’d my pardon with his blood;
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
Verse 3. Lifted up was he to die,
“It is finished,” was his cry,
Now in heav’n exalted high,
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
Verse 4. When he comes, our glorious King,
All his ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing,
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
Words copied from New Baptist Hymnal (1926). They were published in 1875, so they are in the public domain in the United States, and your church may print them, show them and sing them without a license.
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The story behind Man of Sorrows
Philip P. Bliss wrote the words and the tune. They were first published in The International Lessons Monthly in 1875 under the title "Redemption." Churches also know the hymn as "Hallelujah! What a Savior." The United Methodist Hymnal prints it under that second title.
Bliss grew up in rural Pennsylvania and became one of the best-known gospel song writers of his day. He wrote for the Chicago firm run by George F. Root and later joined the evangelist D. W. Whittle. He and his wife died in a train wreck at Ashtabula, Ohio, on December 30, 1876, a year after this hymn appeared.
The text draws on the Suffering Servant passage in Isaiah 52:13 to 53:12 and on the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion. Hymnary.org ties the first stanza to Isaiah 53:3-6 and the fourth to John 19:30. The five stanzas move from the cross to the resurrection, the ascension and the return of Christ. Every stanza ends on the same word of praise.
Bliss composed the only tune published with this text. Some hymnals drop the third stanza, perhaps because of its atonement language. The Psalter Hymnal Handbook suggests leaving the hymn out of Holy Week so the Easter alleluias keep their force.
Philip P. Bliss
1838-07-09 to 1876-12-30
Philip P. Bliss was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. He left home young to work on farms and in lumber camps, and he was converted at a revival at age twelve. He taught music and went to Chicago in 1864 to work for George F. Root. Around 1871 he became choirman and Sunday school superintendent at First Congregational Church in Chicago. In 1874 he joined the evangelist D. W. Whittle. He wrote the words and tune of Man of Sorrows, What a Name. He and his wife died in a railway disaster at Ashtabula, Ohio, on December 30, 1876.
Philip P. Bliss
1838-07-09 to 1876-12-30
Philip P. Bliss was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. He left home young to work on farms and in lumber camps, and he was converted at a revival at age twelve. He taught music and went to Chicago in 1864 to work for George F. Root. Around 1871 he became choirman and Sunday school superintendent at First Congregational Church in Chicago. In 1874 he joined the evangelist D. W. Whittle. He wrote the words and tune of Man of Sorrows, What a Name. He and his wife died in a railway disaster at Ashtabula, Ohio, on December 30, 1876.
- Hymnary.org, Man of Sorrows! what a name , read 2026-10-16
- UM Discipleship, History of Hymns: Man of Sorrows, What a Name , read 2026-10-16
- Hymnary.org, Philip P. Bliss , read 2026-10-16
- Hymnary.org, Baptist Psalter Hymnal 381 (key) , read 2026-10-16
Scripture in Man of Sorrows
The Bible passages behind the words.
- Isaiah 53:3-6
- John 19:30
- 1 Corinthians 15:3
- Acts 1:11
Man of Sorrows videos
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Man of Sorrows! What a Name Martijn de Groot, Congregation
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Man of Sorrows, What a Name Capitol Hill Baptist Church - Topic, Congregation
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Hallelujah! What A Saviour! (Man of Sorrows, What A Name) SE Samonte, Choir
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MAN OF SORROWS, WHAT A NAME (SATB Choir) - Philip P. Bliss/Diane Hannibal/arr. Brad Nix Hal Leonard Church Choral, Choir
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Hallelujah, What a Savior! (Man of Sorrows) - piano instrumental hymn with lyrics Kaleb Brasee, Piano
Videos play from YouTube, and nothing loads from YouTube until you press play. A video may sing different verses from the ones printed on this page.
Downloads, printing and slides
Sheet music files
- Sheet music PDF 89 KB. Words and all four parts, ready to print.
- Lead sheet PDF 83 KB. Melody, words and chord symbols for piano or guitar.
- MusicXML score XML 40 KB. Opens in MuseScore, Finale, Sibelius and Dorico to change the key or print parts.
- MIDI, all parts MIDI 1 KB. Plays the four-part harmony in any MIDI player or notation app.
- MIDI, melody only MIDI 1 KB. The tune alone, for learning it.
Practice tracks for each voice part, as MIDI: Alto , Tenor , Bass .
Chords and keys
Hymnals print it in C.
Questions people ask
Who wrote Man of Sorrows, What a Name?
Bliss wrote both the words and the tune. They were first published in 1875 under the title "Redemption."
Is this the same song as Man of Sorrows by Hillsong?
No. Hillsong's Man of Sorrows is a modern worship song with the same title. This page covers the hymn by Philip Bliss, first published in 1875.
What Bible passage is Man of Sorrows based on?
It draws on Isaiah 52:13 to 53:12, the Suffering Servant. Hymnary.org lists Isaiah 53:3-6 for the first stanza and John 19:30 for the fourth.
Is Man of Sorrows, What a Name in the public domain?
The words are public domain in the United States. Bliss's text and tune were first published in 1875. Some modern arrangements carry their own copyrights.
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